The curious and resourceful Canada Jay is emblematic of Canada's northern and montane forests. It is a masterful food-finder, and survives the harsh winter by caching fruit, insects, and even dead rodents to eat when the weather turns cold. These stores are used to feed the chicks, too, and the jay can begin nesting long before the onset of spring.
Canada Jay
Perisoreus canadensis
Photo:
The State of Canada's Birds is presented in partnership by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada.
Canada Jay
Status and Trends
Distribution
Methods
The State of Canada's Birds is presented in partnership by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada.
Did you know
Summary
Trend
Little Change
Confidence: Low
Goal
Within Goal Range
The Canada Jay (formerly known as the Gray Jay) is a year-round resident of Canada's boreal and alpine forests. There are approximately 22 million individuals in Canada, which represents 82% of the global population and a very high degree of Canadian responsibility. The national population of Canada Jay has changed little since 1970 according to the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS). However, confidence in this assessment is low because the BBS provides limited coverage of the breeding range, and the Christmas Bird Count suggests a large decrease over the same time period. The national population of Canada Jay is within its goal range, although it appears on the verge of dropping below it if current trends continue.
Migration Strategy
Resident
Canadian Responsibility
Population Estimates
Breeding
22,000,000
Annual
22,000,000
Global
27,000,000
Related readings
Summary report
View the report
Trends from this species and others are rolled up into The State of Canada’s Birds Summary Report. Follow the link below to view the report, learn more about birds in Canada, and see how we can all help birds.
This species is included in the following analysis groups for the report:
Forest Birds
Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada. 2024. The State of Canada’s Birds – Canada Jay. Data accessed from NatureCounts, Birds Canada.
https://doi.org/10.71842/9h4w-bp30
The State of Canada's Birds is presented in partnership by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada.
Did you know
The curious and resourceful Canada Jay is emblematic of Canada's northern and montane forests. It is a masterful food-finder, and survives the harsh winter by caching fruit, insects, and even dead rodents to eat when the weather turns cold. These stores are used to feed the chicks, too, and the jay can begin nesting long before the onset of spring.
Distribution and Occurrence
13620
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Get Involved
Citizen Science is vital to monitoring birds in Canada. Participating in programs like the ones below helps monitor this species.
Breeding Bird Survey
Christmas Bird Count
Great Backyard Bird Count
Become a Citizen Scientist today!
Follow the link below to learn about more programs that you can participate in to help monitor birds in Canada.
Learn more
Related readings
Summary report
View the report
Trends from this species and others are rolled up into The State of Canada’s Birds Summary Report. Follow the link below to view the report, learn more about birds in Canada, and see how we can all help birds.
This species is included in the following analysis groups for the report:
Forest Birds
Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada. 2024. The State of Canada’s Birds – Canada Jay. Data accessed from NatureCounts, Birds Canada.
https://doi.org/10.71842/9h4w-bp30