The Beautiful Canada Jay

In August, 2016 Canadians voted on which bird would become Canada’s official National Bird. The top 5 contenders were the Canada Jay more commonly known as the Gray Jay, the common loon, the snowy owl, the Canada goose, and the black capped chickadee.

Which one would be our countries representative, and all that it encompasses?  From the north to the south; from the east to the west, which of our birds could it possibly be?  Could it really be the Gray Jay? What is that bird?  Isn’t it interesting that the bird that the country has chosen, so many people know so little about?

The Canada Jay also known as the Whiskey Jack lives mainly in Canada’s boreal forests which is why I have seen them almost every time I have gone to the Gaspe peninsula.  This beautiful bird has not been seen outside of North America.  A truly winter bird the Canada Jay is a wonderful choice as Canada’s national bird.

• The National Bird Project
• The Gray Jay

On this cool fall morning I had the Canada Jay’s eating right out of my hands.  They are a very friendly bird not shy around humans at all.  I suppose if you were a Gray Jay and spent much of your time in the shadows of a huge bull moose you would loose a lot of your fear of other animals and even your fear of humans.

In the coming months my plans are to represent the Canada Jay on canvas.  Many more wonderful, amazing pictures are on the way.  This will by my tribute to Canada’s 150th birthday.

Happy birthday Canada!