The bold and skilled Canada Jay
A Canada Jay. (Patrick Maurice photo)
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.
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