‘Cheeky’ gray jay chosen Canada’s national bird

The little gray jay beat out iconic creatures like the loon and the snowy owl to be unofficially named Canada’s national bird after a popular campaign. McGill Professor Emeritus David Bird was ecstatic, having formed a committee of ornithologists and bird-watchers to lobby for the gray jay during a two-year selection process run by Canadian Geographic and the Royal Canadian Geographic Society.

Tough little bird lays in extreme cold

“This bird (the gray jay) is extremely smart. It belongs to the crow family—the smartest birds on the planet,” says Bird “Secondly, it’s an extremely hardy bird. It does not migrate south in our winter time. It sticks it out and even sits on its nest in -30 degrees Centigrade.

“And thirdly, it’s a very, very friendly bird. It’ll come down to your fist and take handouts without any kind of prompting whatsoever.

‘That is a Canadian’

“You’ve got intelligence, you’ve got tough, and you’ve got friendly. That is a Canadian by any standard.”

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There were more than 450 species of birds in the running and some 50,000 people voted online to choose their favourites. The loon was a top contender and is much loved for its haunting calls.  The snowy owl was popular. Also making the short list were the Canada goose, the black-capped chickadee and the gray jay which came in third. Several have already been claimed by provinces. The loon is Ontario’s provincial bird. Quebec chose the snowy owl and New Brunswick, the chickadee. Bird thought Canada should have its own national bird not yet claimed by anyone else.

Carries more than its own weight

Beside the fact that the gray jay has not yet been claimed, counting in its favour is that it is found in every province and territory of Canada. In fact, 90 per cent of all gray jays live in this country.

It is also a bird of character. “It’s a rather cheeky little devil,” says Bird. “It’s not averse to…sneaking into one’s packsack or whatever to grab a granola bar.

“It’s capable of flying away with a slice of bread that weighs more than it in its feet. It’s amazing.”

Mischievous prankster

The gray jay also has history. It is also known as the “whiskey jack,” a name that evolved from the indigenous Cree word Wisakedjak which means mischievous prankster.

Now, members of this National Bird Project will lobby the federal government to try to have the gray jack named Canada’s official bird in time for the 150^th anniversary of Canadian Confederation in 2017.