Gray Jays (1 Viewer)

[Tammie]

I'm really curious about this. I have gray jays here all year round but I'm learing that a lot of people have never seen them before or even heard of them, for that matter. Can people here give me an idea of where they are seen and where they are completely foreign?
Thanks! :gh:
P.S. Hope the picture goes through okay... it's my first try!

 

[oldbird]

I LOVE THE PIC

 

[Tammie]

Thanks, Oldbird
These guys make it easy!

 

[T0ny]

Lovely pic, Tammie. I've looked in the NG field guide, and it seems that Gray Jays occupy the northern areas of the US & Canada, apparently taking over from the Blue Jays. I'm no expert on Holarctic species, and I stand to be corrected, but that's how it looks from the maps.

HTH

Tony

 

[Tammie]

Hi again, Tony.
Yes, I know that the gray jays are all over Canada and are in part of the States but I was wondering if they are in Europe at all, as well? My book doesn't say and I doubt it, but I'm curious just the same. Are there any types of Jays in Europe?

 

[Vogelman]

Nice Pic! Looks like you have a very friendly Gray Jay. According to my Smithsonian Birds of North America guide the Gray Jay is sometimes called the "camp robber" and though mostly confined to conifer forrest of the northern Canada, it does extend south into the northern California and through the Rocky Mountains into New Mexico. I have seen them in the mountains of central Colorado where they are fairly common.

Vogelman

 

[Tammie]

Hi Vogelman,

Actually, these guys can be so friendly, it's ridiculous. I have one that likes to land on my head. I have another one that is last year's baby... aptly named Baby! who won't land on my hand but sits at my feet instead. If I don't feed him fast enough, he hauls off and bites my feet! Tagged me good a couple of times last summer when I was bare foot!
They are by far my favorite bird up here. My husband actually calls the my 'dogs' because a few will come running when I call them! It's funny.

 

[Janie]

Great picture! I've never seen one of those but I'd like to have a few in my yard!

 

[T0ny]

Tammie,
We do indeed have Jays in Europe - the common or European Jay Garrulus glandarius occurs over most of Europe, while the Siberian Jay Perisoreus infaustus lives in the northern coniferous forests. I haven't looked, but I expect there are pix of some in the Gallery, or on Andy Bright's digiscoping website.

Tony

PS just looked, and Nigel Blake has a pic in the gallery - if you can't see it when you look, try a search on 'Jay' and it will pick up all of them, including your two Gray Jays. I haven't one I can legally post myself (copyright reasons), otherwise I would, but I'm sure there must be one of our myriad photographers who can oblige if you want to see some more.

 

[Tammie]

Tony,

Nigel's picture is fabulous and I've already told him as much... what a pretty bird. How big are they? The gray jays here are a fair size...probably 10" from beak to tail tip.
In any case, they are wonderful to have around. The disappear around March - April for nesting, then come back around June with their babies. Last year, they brought me three! This year? Who knows?!
I also finally get some blue jays here as well.For the first time, I had 4 in my yard last June. That was a treat, no matter how noisy they are. They are stunning to look at!
Thanks for the comments everyone!

 

[dylan]

Lovely picture Tammie, I enjoyed seeing that :t:

 

[Daisy]

I winter in Maine and summer in my home in NYS. I never get them in NYS, but get them frequently in Maine. That would be in the Jackman area.

 

[Daisy]

I have an article about Gray Jays {Gorbies} here:
http://conniessandstonehaven.com/grayjayarticle.html
I also have some pictures at:
http://conniessandsstonehaven.com/birds.html
Just click on the Gorbie Link

 

[Tammie]

Hi Daisy,
Thanks for the article... that's quite interesting! I can't get the second link to work... it has one too many s in it, I think. I've never heard of gray jays referred to as Gorbies. Anyone know where that term came from?

 

[Yve_M]

Hi Tammie:
Interesting conversation about the Canada Jays. I don't have a clue how they got the name Gorbie but up north here they are referred to as Whiskey Jacks. Anyone have an idea how that might have come about? They definately are camp robbers - if you leave anything edible on a table outside they will help themselves. I was wondering, what do you feed them?
Eve

 

[Tammie]

Jeez, Eve,
It's more like 'don't' we feed them! The only thing I've found so far that they won't eat are fruit and vegetables, although I did find out this week, that they like raisins! We feed them bread, meat scraps, baking scraps, egg scraps... you name it. To be honest, the ones here prefer anything to do with cooked egg and meat, raw or cooked. Right now, they're working through a half loaf of stale banana bread!
I don't know where the term 'Whiskey Jack' came from either. All I know is, I've been calling them that all my life and never heard any other names for them until just within the last 5 or 10 years.
I would be so sad if I didn't have them! They are so very entertaining! Especially when Baby (last year's) bites my toes 'cause I didn't feed him fast enough...!

 

[Yve_M]

Tammie
Aren't they amazing. Living garberators! Well, of course what they don't eat the Ravens finish. Just like kids they won't eat their veggies. We also give them all manner of leftovers, even the chicken bones. Definately practising the 3 Rs in the bush. Baby sounds sweet. BTW do you get Black-billed Magpies?

 

[Tammie]

Eve,
No, we don't get magpies here at all but I wish we did. From what I've heard, they sound pretty neat too. I'm sure some people would disagree with that assessment as I've also heard they can be quite the nuisance.
Baby is my #1. He (I'm assuming) is just the cutest thing! Won't come to my hand like the others but I have to keep a close eye on my toes! The ravens don't get a whole lot around here. Whatever's left by the whiskey jacks during the day, two red foxes come and take at night. Actually, lately the whiskey jacks have had to fight off Harriet (female Hairy woodpecker) at the frozen banana bread... now, that's comical!