Canada Jay

About the Canada Jay

Also known as: Whiskey Jack, Grey Jay, Gray Jay, Alaska Jay, Alberta Jay, Camp Robber, Grease Bird, Labrador Jay, Moose Bird, Rocky Mountain Jay, Venison Heron, White-headed Jay

The Canada Jay is a particularly cute species of corvid that lives across northern parts of North America. The corvid family includes other jays, as well as crows and ravens. Corvids are known for their high intelligence. The Canada Jay has changed its name a couple of times in popular taxonomies. In 2018 many classification systems changed the name from Gray Jay to Canada Jay. The species had been known as the Canada Jay in the past.

Canada Jays are non-migratory; they live year-round in northern boreal forests and into sub-alpine mountainous habitat into the Rocky Mountains.

Canada Jays are omnivorous, opportunistic feeders. They forage on plant materials like nuts, but will also eat nestlings or eggs from other birds, as well as scavenging carrion and around garbage dumps. They also cache food for later consumption.

Canada Jay Find cute products & gifts with our Birdorable Canada Jay
Shop Now

Details & Statistics

Added to Birdorable
Hatched on 13 November 2012
Scientific Name
Perisoreus canadensis
  • Passeriformes
  • Corvidae
  • Perisoreus
  • P. canadensis
Conservation Status
Least Concern (as of 6 April 2020)
LC
  • Least Concern (LC)
  • Near Threatened (NT)
  • Vulnerable (VU)
  • Endangered (EN)
  • Critically Endangered (CR)
  • Extinct in the Wild (EW)
  • Extinct (EX)
Source: IUCN Red List
Measurements
Units: Imperial / Metric
10 to 12 inches
17 to 18 inches
2.5 to 2.6 ounces

International Names

Chinese (汉语) 灰噪鸦
Czech (Cesky) sojka šedá
Danish (Dansk) Grå / Canadisk Lavskrige
Dutch (Nederlands) Canadese Taigagaai
Finnish (Suomi) harmaakuukkeli
French (Français) Mésangeai du Canada
German (Deutsch) Meisenhäher
Italian (Italiano) Ghiandaia grigia
Japanese (日本語) カナダカケス [kanadakakesu]
Norwegian (Norsk) Gråskrike
Polish (Polski) sójka kanadyjska
Russian (русский язык) Канадская кукша
Spanish (Español) Arrendajo Canadiense
Swedish (Svenska) Grå lavskrika
More Products

Cute gifts with this bird

Design with this bird

Related articles

Gray Jay Named National Bird of Canada

Gray Jay Named National Bird of Canada

Last year, in a public poll conducted by the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, Canadian citizens voted for an unofficial national bird to represent their country. The finalists were: the Canada Goose, long ... more