Canada Jay (Perisoreus canadensis) in light snowfall, Ontario

© Alan Murphy/Minden Picture

The Great Backyard Bird Count

As cute and innocent Canada Jay appears, it is a highly curious and fearless bird. Also known as Grey Jay and Whiskey Jack, this bird can be found primarily in boreal forests and subalpine forests across North America. Given its appetite to eat just about anything, the Canada Jay is always hunting for food. It can snatch an insect in flight and can even land on your hand to snap up a peanut or a berry.

This week marks the Great Backyard Bird Count, an online citizen science project that helps monitor wild bird populations. Want to participate? Just count the birds you see in your area and share the results online. Happy birding!