The bold and skilled Canada Jay

Perisoreus canadensis was originally named Canada Jay, so it seems appropriate that after being Gray Jay from 1956-2018, the American Ornithological Society changed it back to Canada Jay. They have several popular nicknames: Camp Robber, Venison Hawk, Whiskey Jack, or Lumberjack. Whiskey Jack is said to be a variation of “Wisakedjak”, the name given to a benevolent trickster and cultural hero in Cree, Algonquin, and Menominee cultures, and Camp Robber originated with the Tlingit people of NW North America. 

Probably anyone who has camped within Canada Jay territory has spotted these bold and skilled “camp robbers”. Although often loud and obvious with their chatters, chuckles, whistles, and mimicry, they often glide silently into a campsite and depart with food. Or, beg should their theft be foiled.

Canada Jays are members of the smart and skilled Corvidae family and are a fairly large and stocky songbird. With a wingspan of 18 inches and length of 10-13 inches, they are smaller than most other jays. Their plumage showcases their subtle beauty: gray back, lighter gray underside, mostly white head, black nape, short black beak, dark eyes, black legs, and long gray tail with a lighter tip. They have very thick plumage for insulation, including feather covered nostrils. Their coloration varies somewhat among the nine subspecies.