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Gray Jay

Perisoreus canadensis

Description:

This bird is about 11.5 inches (29 cm) in length and is colored above in a pale gray with much white around the head and a black cap. It's sometimes described as an over-sized chickadee.

Habitat:

Conifer forests.

Notes:

This is one of my favorite northern birds. They are also known as camp robbers as they are not above picking food out of the hands of unsuspecting campers, rummaging through cook gear, or hanging around cooking areas hoping for scraps. This is true even in wilderness areas where they rarely encounter people. Still, I find them personable companions on my wilderness trips and forgive them when they grab and make off with something that I intend to eat.

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5 Comments

Gordon Dietzman
Gordon Dietzman 12 years ago

Sharp eye! Thanks, I completely missed that.

DavidMroczkowski
DavidMroczkowski 12 years ago

Gordon, I think you have this one categorized as a mammal instead of a bird.

Gordon Dietzman
Gordon Dietzman 12 years ago

I think these are gorgeous birds; I never get tired of watching their antics or photographing them.

SusanEllison
SusanEllison 12 years ago

so sweet

Maria dB
Maria dB 12 years ago

beautiful!

Gordon Dietzman
Spotted by
Gordon Dietzman

Minnesota, USA

Spotted on Feb 7, 2012
Submitted on Feb 8, 2012

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