Birds of the World

Corvidae : Crows, Jays & Magpies

Grey Jay

Perisoreus canadensis

Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada - September 2011

The inquisitive Grey Jay is a common species of coniferous forests of Canada, Alaska and the mountains of western USA.  In areas where there is regular human activity they quickly become very bold and will often follow you around the forest, landing on perches only a metre or two from your head, in the hope of a free handout. 

Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada - September 2011

In times of plenty they store items of food for later consumption and during the summer and autumn they may make as many as separate 100,000 caches of food!

Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada - September 2011