Field Guide for all the Birds of North America
Canada Jay
Mésangeai du Canada
Perisoreus canadensis
Information, images and range maps on over 1,000 birds of North America, including sub-species, vagrants, introduced birds and possibilities
There are a number of sub-species of the Canada Jay seen in North America, some with subtle differences from the others, and only its location is the best indicator as to what sub-species it is. Below are examples of two of the races. The Canada Jay (Boreal) is seen across the widest range and is the most common. It can be found from the interior of Alaska, throughout the northern territories, eastern prairie provinces and right across the continent into Newfoundland and Labrador. The other is the Canada Jay (Northern) and it is seen from the southern borders of the Yukon Territory, south through British Columbia and its ocean islands, as well as right through to the northern California borders on the western side of the Rocky Mountains.
- Summer
- Year Around
- Winter
The Canada Jay has once again retained its given name, as it was known into the 1950's. At that time it was renamed the "Gray Jay". This is a very friendly bird and seems to frequently welcome people in parking lots, campgrounds or cabins in the woods. It has also been nicknamed the "Camp Robber" or the "Whiskey Jack". These forest birds do not migrate and are one of the few bird species that store food in caches in order to survive the cold winter months.
References to Other Bird Sites:
These are links to websites pertaining to the different birding institutions, societies and organizations here in North America. Some of these same sites are a great asset to seeking out knowledge on birds in other regions of the world. Each of these links offer the user different methods to identify birds, whether it be by regions, habitat, appearance or maybe colour. Knowledge on the possibilities of where and what birds might be present are included.
Hinterland Who's Who Welcome to the Web site for Hinterland Who's Who It all started in 1963, with black-and-white vignettes about the loon, the moose, the gannet and the beaver. For more than 50 years, Hinterland Who’s Who has proudly been bringing Canada’s iconic wildlife directly into Canadians’ homes. Re-launched in 2003, the new series serves to rebuild the connection thousands of viewers made with wildlife through the original series. Welcome to our new website! Have a look around, and learn how you can help ensure that the wildlife remains part of what it means to be Canadian.
Avibase - the world bird database This site provides the user with a complete list of bird species, broken down per country, or in the example of the US or Canada, per state and province. Here, bird species names are available in other languages, a great asset to be used as a translation of foreign bird names.
ABA - American Birding Association This site represents an organization that maintains official records of all birds species that have been proven to have been seen inside the perimeters of the North American Continent and the surrounding bodies of water. Regular revised versions are posted to keep the bird list current at all times. This is the list used by all serious birders over their lifetime. You may be aware of the movie called the "Big Year". It was with this list that all the competing birders used in an attempt to set a new record as to how many bird species that could be seen by an individual birder in one calendar year.
The description to follow is taken from the AOS Home Page.
AOS - The American Ornitholgy Society is an international society devoted to advancing the scientific understanding of birds, enriching ornithology as a profession, and promoting a rigorous scientific basis for the conservation of birds. As one of the world's oldest and largest ornithological societies, AOS produces scientific publications of the highest quality, hosts intellectually engaging and professionally vital meetings, serves ornithologists at every career stage, pursues a global perspective, and informs public policy on all issues important to ornithology and ornithological collections. AOS is distinguished by its tremendous collective expertise, including eminent scientists, conservation practitioners, early career innovators, and students.
I hope you will take advantage of these suggested websites. I have used each of them, in one way or another, throughout the years in my quest to better identify and understand our fine feathered friends.
