Living anywhere in North America, you will see birds in the Corvidae family: Crows, Ravens, Magpies, Nutcrackers, and Jays. They are bold, tend to be very noisy, and are the most intelligent birds in the world. Their intelligence actually surpasses that of many mammals. Research has shown that Corvids are capable of recalling specific past events, planning for the future, using cooperative problem-solving, and creating novel tools to solve problems. Maybe we should elect a few crows to Congress!
We know Jays in the USA because most are blue, but Canada Jays (Perisoreus canadensis) wear no blue and are slightly smaller, about the size of a robin. Living in spruce/pine/fir forests, they blend in nicely. They are quieter than their cousins, but much more curious. Never hesitating to get close to humans, they may land on your head or hand. I had a unique experience hiking in the mountains near home at an elevation of 9,200 feet. Hi there!
It is getting warm outside since the breeze stopped, so time to shed a few layers. Taking off my pack and leaning it against a pine at trail’s edge, there is a visitor on a branch about two feet above my head softly chittering. The bird was so close I couldn’t get a photo. As I looked up, smiled, and said “Hello”, the bird stopped chittering and leaned closer. Looking him/her in the eyes, I continued talking ending with a question. The bird started quietly chittering, almost making phrases, and ended on a high note that sounded like it asked me a question. Well, I didn’t think Jays mimic, but they are extremely curious and smart so maybe they can. I couldn’t stop smiling as we “conversed”.
Canada Jays live in the conifers of boreal forests (Taiga biome) mainly in Canada but also in Maine, Washington, and throughout the Rocky Mountains. In 2018 the American Ornithological Society renamed the bird Canada Jay after an argumentative 50-years as the Gray Jay. It’s a saga. However, their feisty curiosity bringing them close to humans has resulted in other informal names such as Camp Robber, Lumberjack, Gorby, and more. It appears the most common colloquial name, used mainly in northern Canada, is Whiskeyjack. It has nothing to do with robbing campers of their whiskey, but is an English adaption from the indigenous Cree (and other Algonquian family languages) name for the bird–Wisakedjak, meaning benevolent, intelligent trickster taken from First Nations folklore.
As I repacked my bag and got ready to leave, the bird and I continued our banter, but it’s time to go. They are known to get close to steal food, hence Camp Robber, but never was food part of this encounter. As we continue up the trail, I noticed my friend going from tree to tree following us. Canada Jays are curious about anything different looking or sounding within their territory, but he/she already “knows” me.
Canada Jays do not migrate, each couple lives in their approximate 360-acre territory for life. They have their young in late winter when temperatures can still drop to minus 20° yet the whole family thrives. The web blog of Ontario Parks calls this Jay the master of the “staycation”.
Each time we stop along the trail for pictures, he/she would land close by for another encounter. As we emerged from the conifers into the aspen groves we stopped one last time. Was he/she was saying goodbye?
I said goodbye and thanked him/her for sharing our hike. This guy/gal “walked” the trail with us for over half a mile. What a sweet encounter!
Have you slowed down to connect with a critter in your neck of the woods? Such surprising events are joyfully memorable, especially when initiated by the critter! I’d be very careful of trying to connect with bears and bison though. 😉
Until next time my friend.
Loved this Canada Jay blog. Keep them coming Joy.
Another interesting and enjoyable read accompanied by your “stellar” images (pun intended)…thank you Joy!