This is one of those birds that is much more impressive seen live than in photos — the Canada jay. I say that mainly because they are actually much larger than they look in all the shots I captured. They typically grow to 13 inches in length with an 18 inch wingspan. Not huge, but big for a songbird. They also have some pretty cool names other than the rather pedestrian Canada jay — my favorites being the camp robber and whisky jack. I saw this one on my recent trip to Sax Zim Bog in northern Minnesota where they are relatively common. Nikon D500 with Nikkor 500mm PF lens, ISO 1600, f/5.6 at 1/125th of a second.
Thanks for this image. The Canada Jay, also known as a Grey Jay, has recently been named Canada’s national bird, mainly due to its popularity and diversity across every Province, but also because of its personality – friendly, playful, & curious. If you tempt them with some nuts or birdseed they will readily land on your hand. Upclose their size is impressive but they are surprisingly lightweight when on your hand. Love your photos!
I didn’t know that Dan about being named the national bird. Thanks for the info. I loved seeing them slowly and silently glide from branch to branch. They seemed to float a bit more than other songbirds.
You could have fooled me about this size. It looks much more like the size of a sparrow. Impressive not so little bird that isn’t the least daunted by snowfall. Nice shot!
What a delightful bird! The photo does belie it’s size – I thought it looked like a cross between a nuthatch and a mockingbird. It’s nice to hear of a jay that is not too aggressive! Yay to Canada’s National Bird!
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This is one of those birds that is much more impressive seen live than in photos — the Canada jay. I say that mainly because they are actually much larger than they look in all the shots I captured. They typically grow to 13 inches in length with an 18 inch wingspan. Not huge, but big for a songbird. They also have some pretty cool names other than the rather pedestrian Canada jay — my favorites being the camp robber and whisky jack. I saw this one on my recent trip to Sax Zim Bog in northern Minnesota where they are relatively common. Nikon D500 with Nikkor 500mm PF lens, ISO 1600, f/5.6 at 1/125th of a second.
Looks to me with that coloring like a smaller chubbier version of a seagull!
That’s one way to look at it. Certainly the coloring of a gull.
I think it is a very attractive bird & you have captured it in natural setting with snow falling all around, sure this isn’t your backyard Sean
Aunt Sue
Definitely none of these in Farmington. Although they do dip into northern New England.
“Camp robber” and “whiskey jack” feel a little too butch for this chubby seagull. I’m thinking he looks more like a “Mr. Wingpoof” or “Happy Flaps.”
There could be a side gig for you Louis, renaming species. Or maybe nail polish colors.
Thanks for this image. The Canada Jay, also known as a Grey Jay, has recently been named Canada’s national bird, mainly due to its popularity and diversity across every Province, but also because of its personality – friendly, playful, & curious. If you tempt them with some nuts or birdseed they will readily land on your hand. Upclose their size is impressive but they are surprisingly lightweight when on your hand. Love your photos!
I didn’t know that Dan about being named the national bird. Thanks for the info. I loved seeing them slowly and silently glide from branch to branch. They seemed to float a bit more than other songbirds.
You could have fooled me about this size. It looks much more like the size of a sparrow. Impressive not so little bird that isn’t the least daunted by snowfall. Nice shot!
Yeah, I was thinking it looked more like a chickadee in photos, but nothing like that in person.
What a delightful bird! The photo does belie it’s size – I thought it looked like a cross between a nuthatch and a mockingbird. It’s nice to hear of a jay that is not too aggressive! Yay to Canada’s National Bird!
Yes. And they glide much more slowly through the air than most songbirds. One of my favorites from my recent trip to northern Minnesota.