Canada Jay

28-33 cm (11-13") Locally Common. A tame, mostly quiet, boreal forest bird that may visit campsites to snatch up food scraps.

A fluffy long tailed gray jay with no crest and a tiny bill. White forehead, black through eye and behind head. Gray upperparts, pale underside. White throat and cheeks. Looks like a giant chickadee.

Juvenile: all sooty-black with a faint white whisker line.

Also known as the Canada Jay or Whisky Jack.

Song: scolds, screams, and whistles.

Videos

Images

Credit: J. N. Stuart

Credit: Shawn McCready

Credit: Steve Voght

Credit: Ken Clifton

Distribution Maps

Gray Jay distribution map

Gray Jay winter distribution map