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Perisoreus canadensis

(Linnaeus, 1766)

Canada Jay

G5Secure Found in 281 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G5SecureGlobal Rank
Least concernIUCN
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.103247
Element CodeABPAV01010
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVertebrate Animal
IUCNLeast concern
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumCraniata
ClassAves
OrderPasseriformes
FamilyCorvidae
GenusPerisoreus
Other Common Names
gray jay (EN) Gray Jay (EN) Grey Jay (EN) Mésangeai du Canada (FR)
Concept Reference
American Ornithologists' Union (AOU). 1998. Check-list of North American birds. Seventh edition. American Ornithologists' Union, Washington, D.C. [as modified by subsequent supplements and corrections published in The Auk]. Also available online: http://www.aou.org/.
Taxonomic Comments
Composed of two groups which may represent separate species: canadensis (Canada Jay) and obscurus (Oregon Jay) (AOU 1998). May constitute a superspecies with P. infaustus and P. internigrans, both of the Old World (AOU 1998). Formerly (AOU 1983, 1998) known as Gray Jay (AOU 2018).
Conservation Status
Rank MethodExpertise without calculation
Review Date2016-04-09
Change Date1996-12-02
Range Extent Comments
BREEDING: western and central Alaska across Canada and south to northern California, eastern Oregon, Idaho, Utah, eastern Arizona, northern New Mexico, Colorado, southwestern South Dakota, northern Minnesota, northern Wisconsin, northern Michigan, northern New York, and northern New England. NON-BREEDING: mainly through breeding range (AOU 1983).
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

Coniferous and mixed coniferous-deciduous forest (primarily spruce), including open and partly open woodland and around bogs (AOU 1983). Often around campgrounds. BREEDING: Usually nests in a conifer, 1-9 m (usually 2-3 m) above ground.

Ecology

Occupies, permanent, all-purpose territory. Usually seen in small family groups or in pairs. Gray Jays have home ranges of about 65-130 hectares in Ontario (Rutter 1969).

Reproduction

Clutch size 2-5 (usually 3-4). Incubation 16-18 days, by female. Young tended by both adults, capable of first flight when about 15 days old. In Ontario and Quebec, broods broke up in June, when the young were 55-65 days old; dominant brood member expelled siblings from natal territory, shared in food stored by parents (Strickland 1991).
Terrestrial Habitats
Forest - ConiferForest - MixedWoodland - ConiferWoodland - Mixed
Palustrine Habitats
Riparian
Other Nations (2)
CanadaN5
ProvinceRankNative
Northwest TerritoriesS5Yes
Yukon TerritoryS5Yes
Prince Edward IslandS2Yes
New BrunswickS3Yes
QuebecS5Yes
LabradorS5Yes
Island of NewfoundlandS5Yes
British ColumbiaS5Yes
AlbertaS5Yes
NunavutSUYes
SaskatchewanS5Yes
Nova ScotiaS3Yes
OntarioS5Yes
ManitobaS5Yes
United StatesN5
ProvinceRankNative
ArizonaS2Yes
MinnesotaSNRYes
New MexicoS4B,S4NYes
MaineS5Yes
WashingtonS5Yes
IdahoS3Yes
NebraskaSNRNYes
South DakotaS4B,S4NYes
ColoradoS5Yes
MontanaS5Yes
UtahS3Yes
New HampshireS3Yes
MichiganS4Yes
WyomingS5BYes
VermontS2Yes
OregonS4Yes
CaliforniaSNRYes
New YorkS3Yes
AlaskaS5Yes
WisconsinS2Yes
Threat Assessments
ThreatScopeSeverityTiming
11 - Climate change & severe weatherUnknownUnknownHigh (continuing)
11.3 - Temperature extremesUnknownUnknownHigh (continuing)

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Roadless Areas (281)
Alaska (12)
AreaForestAcres
Boston BarChugach National Forest53,617
Chugach-12Chugach National Forest8,116
Chugach-13Chugach National Forest13,337
College FiordChugach National Forest1,130,818
Copper River WetlandsChugach National Forest85,972
Johnson PassChugach National Forest152,508
Kenai LakeChugach National Forest213,172
Kenai MountainsChugach National Forest306,600
Nellie JuanChugach National Forest713,697
ResurrectionChugach National Forest224,615
Roaded DonutChugach National Forest968
Sheridan GlacierChugach National Forest224,683
California (13)
AreaForestAcres
Chips CreekLassen National Forest29,089
Crane Mtn.Modoc National Forest1,269
Heart LakeLassen National Forest9,349
MillModoc National Forest321
Mt. BidwellModoc National Forest11,687
Mt. HoffmanModoc National Forest9,780
Mt. Shasta BShasta-Trinity National Forest2,809
Mt. VidaModoc National Forest7,771
ProspectLassen National Forest4,078
RinconSequoia National Forest54,610
SoldierModoc National Forest10,102
Trail LakeLassen National Forest1,124
WoodpeckerSequoia National Forest11,936
Colorado (11)
AreaForestAcres
Bristol HeadRio Grande NF46,087
Comanche Peak Adjacent AreaArapaho & Roosevelt NFs44,158
Dome PeakRoutt NF35,716
HermosaSan Juan NF148,103
Long ParkRoutt NF42,100
Pagoda PeakRoutt NF57,676
Pole Mountain / Finger MesaRio Grande NF43,863
Red TableWhite River NF39,122
San MiguelSan Juan NF64,263
Storm PeakSan Juan NF57,617
Troublesome SouthRoutt NF47,359
Idaho (7)
AreaForestAcres
HoodooNez Perce-Clearwater National Forest153,868
Italian PeakCaribou-Targhee National Forest141,158
Lemhi RangeSalmon-Challis National Forest308,533
NeedlesPayette National Forest131,279
Peace RockBoise National Forest191,734
SeceshPayette National Forest248,088
West Meadow CreekNez Perce-Clearwater National Forest115,949
Maine (1)
AreaForestAcres
Caribou - Speckled ExtWhite Mountain National Forest5,988
Minnesota (4)
AreaForestAcres
Baker - Homer - Brule LakesSuperior National Forest6,712
Brule Lake - Eagle MountainSuperior National Forest12,380
Cabin CreekSuperior National Forest6,071
Wood LakeSuperior National Forest596
Montana (43)
AreaForestAcres
Allan Mountain (01946)Bitterroot National Forest104,184
Bear - Marshall - Scapegoat - SwanHelena National Forest51,360
Bear - Marshall - Scapegoat - SwanLewis and Clark National Forest344,022
Bear - Marshall - Scapegoat - SwanLolo National Forest118,485
BeartoothGallatin National Forest5,285
Big Horn MountainBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest50,846
Blue Joint (mwsa) (01941)Bitterroot National Forest64,764
Bmss Ra 1485Flathead National Forest334,275
BridgerGallatin National Forest45,059
Buckhorn Ridge (MT)Kootenai National Forest34,716
Cabinet Face East #671Kootenai National Forest50,326
Cherry PeakLolo National Forest37,862
Crazy MountainGallatin National Forest82,093
East PioneerBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest145,082
Evans GulchLolo National Forest8,059
Freezeout MountainBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest97,305
Gallatin FringeGallatin National Forest51,571
HoodooLolo National Forest105,162
Hyalite - Porcupine - Buffalo Horn Wilderness Study AreaGallatin National Forest143,991
Italian PeakBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest90,401
Jerico MountainHelena National Forest8,445
Lazyman GulchHelena National Forest11,614
Lolo CreekLolo National Forest14,335
MadisonGallatin National Forest127,859
Maple PeakLolo National Forest6,469
Meadow Creek - Upper North ForkLolo National Forest6,906
Mt. BushnellLolo National Forest41,798
Mt. Gmt Area HCuster National Forest1,335
North AbsarokaGallatin National Forest159,075
North Big HoleBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest52,227
North CarpBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest6,600
Republic MountainGallatin National Forest836
Reservation DivideLolo National Forest16,908
SapphireBitterroot National Forest43,303
SapphiresBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest66,619
Selway - Bitterroot (01067)Bitterroot National Forest114,953
Silver KingBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest64,289
Stony MountainBitterroot National Forest44,057
Tash PeakBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest61,312
Thompson Seton RA 1483Flathead National Forest52,235
VigilanteBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest15,893
West Big HoleBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest133,563
West PioneerBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest248,631
New Hampshire (11)
AreaForestAcres
Dartmouth RangeWhite Mountain National Forest9,233
Great Gulf Ext.White Mountain National Forest15,110
KilkennyWhite Mountain National Forest28,766
Kinsman MountainWhite Mountain National Forest8,999
Mt. Wolf - Gordon PondWhite Mountain National Forest11,846
PemigewassetWhite Mountain National Forest32,255
Pemigewasset ExtWhite Mountain National Forest15,840
Presidential - Dry River ExtWhite Mountain National Forest10,555
Sandwich RangeWhite Mountain National Forest16,797
WatervilleWhite Mountain National Forest4,312
Wild RiverWhite Mountain National Forest46,878
New Mexico (16)
AreaForestAcres
Alamo CanyonSanta Fe National Forest8,639
Black CanyonSanta Fe National Forest1,922
Bull - Of - The - WoodsCarson National Forest488
Canjilon Mtn.Carson National Forest7,972
Columbine - Hondo Wilderness Study AreaCarson National Forest43,739
FallsSanta Fe National Forest2,477
GallinasSanta Fe National Forest13,208
Latir PeakCarson National Forest3,573
PecosCarson National Forest13,436
Pecos WS RiverSanta Fe National Forest5,396
San Pedro ParksSanta Fe National Forest5,824
Tesuque CreekSanta Fe National Forest810
Thompson PeakSanta Fe National Forest33,001
Virgin CanyonSanta Fe National Forest6,068
Wesner SpringSanta Fe National Forest598
Wheeler Peak WildernessCarson National Forest2,677
Oregon (52)
AreaForestAcres
Badger CreekMt. Hood National Forest847
BearwallowsDeschutes National Forest7,317
Bend WatershedDeschutes National Forest14,829
BuckhornWallowa-Whitman National Forest17,180
Bull Of The WoodsMt. Hood National Forest8,843
Calf - Copeland CreekUmpqua National Forest15,696
Charlton ButteWillamette National Forest3,031
Cook RidgeWallowa-Whitman National Forest19,617
Cougar BluffUmpqua National Forest5,574
Crane MountainFremont National Forest23,096
Echo MountainWillamette National Forest8,098
FairviewUmpqua National Forest7,417
French Pete (a)Willamette National Forest1,668
Gold CreekWillamette National Forest1,364
Hebo 1aSiuslaw National Forest13,930
HellholeUmatilla National Forest65,679
Hurricane CreekWallowa-Whitman National Forest1,606
Jaussaud CorralUmatilla National Forest5,535
LakeMt. Hood National Forest1,327
LarchMt. Hood National Forest12,961
Little SheepWallowa-Whitman National Forest5,238
Maiden PeakWillamette National Forest9,627
Maiden PeakDeschutes National Forest26,432
MarshWinema National Forest1,226
Mcclellan MountainMalheur National Forest21,213
Mclennon MountainWillamette National Forest8,085
Middle SantiamWillamette National Forest7,316
Mountain SheepWallowa-Whitman National Forest19,457
Mt. JeffersonDeschutes National Forest2,282
Mt. BaileyUmpqua National Forest18,401
Mt. Hood AdditionsMt. Hood National Forest13,061
Myrtle SilviesMalheur National Forest11,679
North PaulinaDeschutes National Forest19,670
Roaring RiverMt. Hood National Forest27,316
Roaring RiverWillamette National Forest2,128
Salmon - HuckleberryMt. Hood National Forest17,570
Shasta CostaSiskiyou National Forests14,420
Sky Lakes AWinema National Forest3,940
Sky Lakes BWinema National Forest9,615
South PaulinaDeschutes National Forest9,074
Twin LakesMt. Hood National Forest6,055
Twin MountainWallowa-Whitman National Forest58,533
Upper Catherine CreekWallowa-Whitman National Forest6,446
Upper Grande RondeWallowa-Whitman National Forest11,723
WaldoDeschutes National Forest4,973
Waldo - FujiWillamette National Forest15,273
Waldo - LakeWillamette National Forest2,993
Waldo - Many PrariesWillamette National Forest2,585
Waldo - MoolackWillamette National Forest1,183
Walla Walla RiverUmatilla National Forest34,416
West - South BachelorDeschutes National Forest25,994
Wind CreekMt. Hood National Forest5,438
South Dakota (1)
AreaForestAcres
Indian CreekBuffalo Gap National Grassland24,666
Utah (8)
AreaForestAcres
0401027Ashley National Forest7,312
0419020Ashley National Forest355,684
Dark ValleyDixie National Forest27,481
Hay LakesDixie National Forest22,144
High Uintas (UT)Wasatch-Cache National Forest102,398
Horse Mountain - Mans PeakManti-Lasal National Forest22,159
LakesWasatch-Cache National Forest121,967
Mcgath Lake - Auger HoleDixie National Forest8,334
Washington (60)
AreaForestAcres
Alpine Lakes Adj.Wenatchee National Forest57,104
BackboneGifford Pinchot National Forest1,201
Bear CreekGifford Pinchot National Forest7,980
Big Lava BedGifford Pinchot National Forest19,043
Blue SlideWenatchee National Forest17,505
Boulder RiverMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest32,563
BourbonGifford Pinchot National Forest4,512
ChelanWenatchee National Forest74,650
Dark DivideGifford Pinchot National Forest52,483
Devils GulchWenatchee National Forest24,419
Dixon MountainGifford Pinchot National Forest6,339
Eagle RockMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest34,064
EntiatWenatchee National Forest72,617
Glacier Peak BMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest19,328
Glacier Peak JMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest26,482
Glacier Peak KMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest47,269
Glacier Peak LMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest14,084
Goat Rocks AdjWenatchee National Forest6,108
Grassy TopIdaho Panhandle National Forests13,485
Green MountainOlympic National Forest4,617
Harvey CreekColville National Forest10,140
Heather LakeWenatchee National Forest10,628
HorseshoeGifford Pinchot National Forest7,579
Hungry RidgeOkanogan National Forest8,708
Jefferson RidgeOlympic National Forest6,512
Jupiter RidgeOlympic National Forest10,148
Liberty BellOkanogan National Forest108,495
LightningOlympic National Forest7,179
Long SwampOkanogan National Forest66,344
ManastashWenatchee National Forest11,155
Mill Creek Watershed (WA)Umatilla National Forest16,747
Mt. Baker MaMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest24,847
Mt. Baker Noisy - DiobsudMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest56,039
Mt. Baker NorthMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest16,873
Mt. Baker WestMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest25,390
Mt. BaldyOlympic National Forest3,557
Mt. BonaparteOkanogan National Forest10,891
Mt. ZionOlympic National Forest3,544
Nason RidgeWenatchee National Forest19,329
Norse PeakWenatchee National Forest10,169
Packwood LakeGifford Pinchot National Forest1,084
Pasayten RimOkanogan National Forest17,074
PompeyGifford Pinchot National Forest23,985
ProfanityColville National Forest28,944
QuartzWenatchee National Forest8,550
QuilceneOlympic National Forest18,656
Rock CreekWenatchee National Forest32,239
SawtoothOkanogan National Forest122,194
South MidwayGifford Pinchot National Forest2,384
South QuinaultOlympic National Forest11,081
SpanglerUmatilla National Forest5,936
Stormy Mtn.Wenatchee National Forest32,612
StrawberryGifford Pinchot National Forest5,244
TaneumWenatchee National Forest26,140
TeanawayWenatchee National Forest72,849
Thorp Mtn.Wenatchee National Forest22,717
TiffanyOkanogan National Forest22,045
Upper SkokomishOlympic National Forest9,311
West AdamsGifford Pinchot National Forest2,238
White PassGifford Pinchot National Forest1,145
Wyoming (42)
AreaForestAcres
Bear RocksBighorn National Forest25,023
Beartooth Proposed WildernessShoshone National Forest16,837
Bridger PeakMedicine Bow-Routt National Forest6,697
Bruce MountainBighorn National Forest5,417
Campbell LakeMedicine Bow-Routt National Forest7,088
Canyon CreekShoshone National Forest7,530
Cloud Peak ContiguousBighorn National Forest113,757
Devils CanyonBighorn National Forest37,416
Encampment River AdditionMedicine Bow-Routt National Forest4,996
French CreekMedicine Bow-Routt National Forest5,928
Grayback RidgeBridger-Teton National Forest295,113
Gros Ventre MountainsBridger-Teton National Forest106,418
Hideout CreekBighorn National Forest10,096
Horse Creek MesaBighorn National Forest77,808
Lake Alice - Commissary RidgeBridger-Teton National Forest166,707
Libby FlatsMedicine Bow-Routt National Forest11,107
Little BighornBighorn National Forest133,949
Little Sheep MountainBridger-Teton National Forest14,192
Little SnakeMedicine Bow-Routt National Forest9,920
Middle ForkShoshone National Forest51,772
Middle ForkMedicine Bow-Routt National Forest13,238
Mosquito Lake - Seven LakesBridger-Teton National Forest51,950
Nugent Park - Hams Fork RidgeBridger-Teton National Forest21,241
Pacific Creek - Blackrock CreekBridger-Teton National Forest24,658
Pass CreekShoshone National Forest6,172
Phillips RidgeBridger-Teton National Forest10,108
Platte River AdditionMedicine Bow-Routt National Forest7,962
ReefShoshone National Forest16,817
Rock CreekMedicine Bow-Routt National Forest18,874
Salt River RangeBridger-Teton National Forest235,661
Savage Run AdditionMedicine Bow-Routt National Forest2,368
Sibley LakeBighorn National Forest10,367
Snowy RangeMedicine Bow-Routt National Forest29,660
South Beartooth HighwayShoshone National Forest105,570
Spread Creek - Gros Ventre RiverBridger-Teton National Forest166,097
Teton Corridor TrailheadsBridger-Teton National Forest286
Togwotee PassShoshone National Forest7,344
Walker PrairieBighorn National Forest62,434
Warm Spring CreekShoshone National Forest6,216
West Slope TetonsTarghee National Forest47,448
West Slope WindsBridger-Teton National Forest143,252
Wilderness Study AreaTarghee National Forest51,961
References (19)
  1. American Ornithological Society (AOS). Chesser, R.T., K.J. Burns, C. Cicero, J.L. Dunn, A.W. Kratter, I.J. Lovette, P.C. Rasmussen, J.V. Remsen, Jr., D.F. Stotz, B.M. Winger, and K. Winker. 2018. Fifty-ninth Supplement to the American Ornithologists' Union Check-list of North American Birds. The Auk 135:798–813.
  2. American Ornithologists' Union (AOU). 1983. Check-list of North American Birds, 6th edition. Allen Press, Inc., Lawrence, Kansas. 877 pp.
  3. American Ornithologists' Union (AOU). 1998. Check-list of North American birds. Seventh edition. American Ornithologists' Union, Washington, D.C. [as modified by subsequent supplements and corrections published in <i>The Auk</i>]. Also available online: http://www.aou.org/.
  4. Balda, R. P., and G. C. Bateman. 1971. Flocking and annual cycle of the piñon jay, <i>Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus</i>. Condor 73:287-302.
  5. Godfrey, W.E. 1966. The birds of Canada. National Museums of Canada. Ottawa. 428 pp.
  6. Goodwin, D. 1986. Crows of the world. Second edition. Univ. Washington Press. 300 pp.
  7. Ham, J. C., and P. N. Lehner. 1990. Notes on gray jay demographics in Colorado. Wilson Bull. 102:698-702.
  8. Harrison, C. 1978. A Field Guide to the Nests, Eggs and Nestlings of North American Birds. Collins, Cleveland, Ohio.
  9. Horn, H. S. 1968. The adaptive significance of colonial nesting in the Brewer's Blackbird. Ecology 49:682-694.
  10. Ligon, J. D. 1971. Late summer-autumnal breeding of the piñon jay in New Mexico. Condor 73:147-153.
  11. Moore, W. S., and R. A. Dolbeer. 1989. The use of banding recovery data to estimate dispersal rates and gene flow in avian species: case studies in the Red-winged Blackbird and Common Grackle. Condor 91:242-253.
  12. National Geographic Society (NGS). 1983. Field guide to the birds of North America. National Geographic Society, Washington, DC.
  13. Rutter, R. J. 1969. A contribution to the biology of the Gray Jay (PERISOREUS CANADENSIS). Canadian Field-Naturalist 83:300-316.
  14. Strickland, D. 1991. Juvenile dispersal in gray jays: dominant brood member expels siblings from natal territory. Can. J. Zool. 69:2935-2945.
  15. Tarvin, K. A., and G. E. Woolfenden. 1999. Blue Jay (<i>Cyanocitta cristata</i>). No. 469 IN A. Poole and F. Gill, editors. The birds of North America. The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA. 32pp.
  16. Terres, J. K. 1980. The Audubon Society encyclopedia of North American birds. Alfred A. Knopf, New York.
  17. Thompson, F. R., III. 1994. Temporal and spatial patterns of breeding brown-headed cowbirds in the midwestern United States. Auk 111:979-990.
  18. Williams, L. 1952b. Breeding behavior of the Brewer blackbird. Condor 54:3-47.
  19. Willson, M. F. 1966. Breeding ecology of the Yellow-headed Blackbird. Ecological Monographs 36:51-77.