Meet our national bird: the gray jay (2024)

FAQs

What does the GREY Jay symbolize? ›

To many western First Nations, the appearance of a gray jay in the morning is a good omen, and its chattering and whistles an early warning to hunters of nearby predators. There are even Gwich'in guides in the Yukon who tell of gray jays singing from tree to tree to lead a lost and starving hunter home.

What blue jays symbolize. Blue jays relate to everything from strength to confidence to communication, depending on the context in which you see them. For some, these birds have the reputation of being loud, aggressive, and mean. However, certain cultures see them as lucky or a symbol of good things to come.

According to Canadian Geographic, the whisky jack, which can be found in every province and territory, boasts "traits that symbolize the Canadian spirit," including its friendliness and intelligence. "They are a tough bird.

The Gray Jay is thus the only Canadian bird for which a name of aboriginal derivation has been commonly used in English. Perhaps sadly, whiskeyjack and the former English name of Canada Jay are both passing into disuse as more and more Canadians grow up with the present official English name of Gray Jay.

The gray jay lives year round in the spruce-fir forests of Canada and the northern U.S. It's a member of the corvid (crow) family, but even compared to its not-so-bashful blue jay and black crow cousins, this bird has a bold personality.

Large, round-headed songbird with a long tail and a short bill. Adults are gray overall, paler on the belly with a white cheek, throat, and forehead.

This common, large songbird is familiar to many people, with its perky crest; blue, white, and black plumage; and noisy calls. Blue Jays are known for their intelligence and complex social systems with tight family bonds. Their fondness for acorns is credited with helping spread oak trees after the last glacial period.

Everyone loves a blue jay: these perky little guys are so beautiful to look at, as you can see in our cover image, that it figures they hold their own mythology of fortune and happiness. Native Americans believe that if you see one on the path ahead of you, it is is a sign that you're headed in the right direction.

Blue jays are symbols of communication, curiosity, and confidence. A sighting may be an omen urging you to speak up, be bold, and chase your goals. Seeing a blue jay may be a warning to second guess who you trust, as this rambunctious bird is also associated with trickery and deceit.

It's also a friendly and smart bird who chooses not to migrate in the winter, and braves the Canadian cold better than most of us! The name Whiskeyjack came from the Indigenous for Wisakedjak, who was a known trickster in Anishinaabe legends.

What bird represents courage? ›

Eagles are considered sacred by Native Americans. The claws and bones of the birds are believed to drive illness away. As the symbol of the U.S., the bald eagle stands for endurance, independence, and courage.

Behavior: Gray Jays are often found in family groups. They can be very bold and will beg from campers, follow hikers, and go inside cabins to steal food. These jays forage from perches and fly from tree to tree, scanning for food.

In some religious traditions, seeing a blue jay repeatedly may be interpreted as a sign or message from the divine. It's believed to symbolize protection, clarity, and spiritual guidance.