A member of the Corvid family, Canada Jays are highly intelligent birds. Their intelligence is a necessary virtue, however, given the brutal northern climates they inhabit year-round. You can spot Canada Jays throughout North America’s boreal forest. They also inhabit alpine habitats in the lower-48; look for them in the Cascades and the Rocky Mountains, in particular.

Canada Jays are highly resourceful. They’re omnivores that will essentially eat whatever is available. They’re less timid around humans than other songbirds, especially if there’s food involved.

Canada Jays are large, upright songbirds. They have a dark gray back, and a slightly lighter breast. Their head is white except for a large black “hood.” They have dark eyes, and thick dark bills.

While Canada Jays reside year-round in the woods surrounding Creamer’s Field Migration Station, they are a relatively uncommon capture: historically there have only been about 70 capture records here. Their large size, and perhaps their shrew intelligence, make them less likely to get ensnared in our nets.