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The Bold and the Beautiful (50)
Adanac
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1095 W: 1 N: 4448]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif) (14934) | Hi All,
Todays posting is a Gray Jay that was captured at Cameron Lake at the same time as the stellar jay. These little jays are not as bold as the stellars but still come to get a hand out of seeds.
Gray Jay
Perisoreus canadensis
General Description
By Nora Bryan
The gray jay is widespread in the mountains, foothills and boreal forests of Alberta. In winter this crestless jay might be seen in the parkland and in forested areas near cities, especially in years when food resources are scarce.
The bold gray jay is at home in dense spruce and mixed coniferous forests. This intelligent, opportunistic bird has learned that picnickers pack goodies, and is commonly observed looking for handouts or scraps at picnic sites and campgrounds in its range. It is not afraid to help itself if handouts are not forthcoming ? hence its other name "Camp Robber:".
When not wheedling whatever it can from people, gray jays feeding habits are like those of other corvids, taking seeds, fruit, insects, and occasionally the eggs and nestlings of other birds. They might also be seen at roadkills. The gray jay has special sticky saliva that it uses to stick together balls of berries, which are then glued to tree branches for future eating.
The nest, usually in a conifer, is constructed of twigs, bark and moss and lined with fur and feathers. Two to six eggs are incubated for 16 to 18 days and young are fledged 15 days after hatching. |
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