Canada Jay Identification

The Four Keys to ID

• Size & Shape

  Canada Jays are stocky, fairly large songbirds with short, stout bills. They have round heads and long tails, with broad, rounded wings.

  Relative Size

  Slightly smaller than a Steller’s Jay or Blue Jay; larger than an American Robin.

  robin-sized

  Measurements

  • Both Sexes
  • • Length: 9.8-11.4 in (25-29 cm)
    • Weight: 2.0-3.0 oz (58-84 g)

  © Vitalii Khustochka / Macaulay Library

• Color Pattern

  Canada Jays are dark gray above and light gray below, with black on the back of the head forming a partial hood. Juveniles are grayish black overall, and usually show a pale gape at the base of the bill.

• Behavior

  Canada Jays are typically in small groups. They fly in quiet swoops, generally holding their wings below the horizontal. While they have a large variety of vocalizations including hoots and chatters, they are less noisy overall than other jays. Canada Jays have very broad diets, eating anything from berries to carrion to handouts from hikers.
• Habitat

  Canada Jays live in evergreen (especially spruce) and mixed evergreen-deciduous forest across the boreal forest of the northern United States and Canada, as well as in high mountain ranges of the West.

Regional Differences

Canada Jays in the Rocky Mountains are paler overall; those across the boreal forest show more contrast between the dark head and pale face and underparts. Individuals in coastal areas are darker overall, especially on the head.

Regional Photos

© Vitalii Khustochka / Macaulay LibraryManitoba, October 29, 2016

© Randy Pinkston / Macaulay LibraryColorado, April 06, 2016