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(Perisoreus canadensis). Patient Number 25-201.
Date of admission: May 16, 2025.
Reason for admission: Physical Injury.
Patient History:
Formerly known as the Canada jay, the gray jay is Canada’s national bird. Found in boreal forests in all provinces and territories, they do not migrate south; instead, they stash away food in various hidden caches throughout the summer to live off of in the winter. They are opportunistic omnivores, feeding on anything from fruits and seeds to insects and the occasional small rodent.
Breeding pairs are territorial. They start nesting as early as February, with temperatures still consistently frigid. The mother incubates 2 to 5 speckled gray eggs, while the father feeds her. Once the babies have hatched and are feathered enough to stay warm in the nest on their own, both parents will forage.
As members of the corvid family, gray jays are related to blue jays, magpies, crows, and ravens. Like other corvids, they are intelligent, curious, and sometimes mischievous. Be sure to keep a clean campsite: these fearless “camp robbers” have been known to steal unattended food from humans camping in their territory.
Another common name for the gray jay is 'Whiskey Jack'—a term unrelated to the alcohol. This nickname is derived from the Cree name Wisakedjak.
This juvenile gray jay was found with an injured wing in Bragg Creek, AB. Upon arrival, an exam revealed a scapula fracture (a bone in the shoulder), which had grounded the bird and caused a noticeable wing droop. Remarkably, this is only the second gray jay AIWC has admitted in the past 10 years—the last one arrived back in 2015.
As a fledgling, this jay still displays mostly gray plumage. The characteristic white chest and black facial markings will develop with maturity. They will remain in care until they’ve made a full recovery and can fly and forage independently.
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