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Gray Jay (Perisoreus canadensis)
FIELD MARKS
The Gray Jay goes by many different names including Canada Jay and Camp
Robber. It has loose and fluffy feathers with a white head and dark grey
on its crown and nape. Its back, wings and tail are also dark grey and
its front is light grey. It has a short, black bill and does not have
a crest on its head like most other jays. Approximate length: 28 cm
Photo Credit: Richard Cannings
FOOD
The Gray Jay is an omnivore, eating a variety of insects, spiders, berries,
seeds, fungi, small rodents, birds' eggs and carrion. They store extra
food in crevices in the summertime for the difficult winter months. The
Gray Jay is well known for entering campsites and stealing food.
HABITAT
This jay lives in cold climates year-round. It can be found in spruce
and fir forests as well as other coniferous and mixed forests usually
at higher elevations.
NESTING
These birds nest in late winter and early spring, unlike most other songbirds
that nest in the spring and summer. The mated pair stays together all
year and defends its territory. Their nests are built in conifers, on
a low branch, close to the trunk. Both female and male build the bulky,
flat, cup-shaped nests using twigs, lichen, strips of bark and caterpillar
webs. The female lays 3-4 pale grey to greenish eggs with brown, olive
or reddish spots.
STATUS
Stable population in areas not subjected to human disturbances. In areas
that have been clear-cut, populations have declined.
DISTRIBUTION
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