Perisoreus canadensis
There is no other Rocky Mountain bird that can equal the Gray Jay for boldness. Small family groups glide slowly and unexpectedly out of spruce forests, attracted by any foreign sound or potential food opportunity. Gray Jays lay their eggs and begin incubation as early as late February. Their nests are well insulated to conserve heat, and nesting early means the jays will be feeding their quickly growing nestlings when the forests are full of food in spring. Gray Jays often store food. These jays have specialized salivary glands that they use to coat the food with a sticky mucous, which helps preserve the food. The Gray Jay is also affectionately known as the Camp Robber, the Canada Jay and the Whisky Jack. This last name is derived from the Algonquin name for this bird, wiskedjack. |
I.D.: Sexes similar. Adult: fluffy, pale gray plumage; long tail; light forehead; darker on the back of the head; dark gray upperparts; light gray underparts; white cheek; dark bill. Immature: dark sooty gray overall. Size: L 111/2 in. (29 cm). Range: common year-round throughout the Rockies. Habitat: dense and open coniferous and mixed forests, townsites, scenic overlooks and campgrounds from the foothills to the subalpine. Nesting: in the crotch of a conifer tree; bulky, well-insulated nest is made with plant fibers, roots, moss, twigs, feathers and fur; female incubates 3-4 eggs for 17 days. Feeding: searches the ground and vegetation for insects, fruit, songbird eggs and nestlings, carrion and berries; stores food items. Voice: complex vocal repertoire; soft, whistled quee-oo; chuckled cla-cla-cla; also imitates other birds. Similar Species: Clark's Nutcracker: adult has a heavy black bill and black-and-white wings and tail. Northern Shrike: black mask; black-and-white wings and tail. |
