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WILD ABOUT BIRDS: Something to crow about

Recently there has been much ado about an “official” Canadian bird. Many species are worthy of the title, but it would appear that the gray jay (or whiskey jack, also spelled whisky jack) is on track for the honour.
Gray jay
Recently there has been much ado about an “official” Canadian bird. 
 
Many species are worthy of the title, but it would appear that the gray jay (or whiskey jack, also spelled whisky jack) is on track for the honour. Formerly, it was known as the Canada jay.  
 
It is commonly seen in the North Shore Mountains, especially by skiers and snowshoers when they go to have their lunch outdoors. It is a friendly bird that will snatch your snack right from your hand.  
 
Mountain folks know that as soon as you sit down for lunch, whiskey jacks seem to appear from nowhere, looking for a handout. When you encounter whiskey jacks in the mountains, please don’t feed them bread or potato chips – a handful of unsalted nuts would be better.
 
Speaking of official birds, British Columbia’s is the Steller’s jay (not the blue jay). Also, note the spelling of Steller (not stellar). The bird takes its name from a famous German scientist and explorer Georg Wilhelm Steller. Steller’s sea lion is also named for him, as is the gumboot chiton.  
 
From time to time, we do see the “real” blue jay on the North Shore, usually at bird feeders where peanuts are on the menu. It should always be watched for, along with the scrub jay. It is forecast that with climate change, the California scrub jay will advance northward.
 
All jays cache foods, meaning they’ll hide it away for future consumption. You may be surprised to find peanuts, still in the shell, neatly buried in your garden or flower pots. 
 
If that’s the case and you’re not feeding Steller’s jays, then your neighbour (or neighbours) probably is. Gray jays make a ball of food, known as a bolus, coated with their saliva as a preservative and then stick it on to a surface like tree bark.
 
The crow family (corvids) is comprised of a diverse group of species, which includes the northwestern crow, American crow, Clark’s nutcracker, Steller’s jay, gray jay and black-billed magpie.
 
On the North Shore, our local crow is the northwestern crow. It is a coastal species, with the American (“common”) crow found over most of the province. Some authorities believe that they are not separate species but just one.  
 
Crows are amazing birds. Notable, amongst other traits, is their complex social structure. North Shore residents often notice huge, evening flights of crows heading back to their communal night roosts. It is thought that at least one reason they do this is to escape predation from great horned owls.
 
The raven was also a more-than-worthy species for our national bird. It, we are told, is one of the world’s smartest birds and it features highly in the lore of First Nations peoples. The raven is not an oversized crow, but a very different bird. Crows do not like ravens, and if one is discovered by a “murder” of crows, chaos ensues!
 
A fine place to watch for corvids (and other species) is the Maplewood Flats Conservation Area.  Start at the Wild Birds Unlimited feeding station near the sanctuary office. Here, you’ll enjoy close-up views of chickadees, sparrows, woodpeckers, finches, hummingbirds and more. It is a great way to spend a winter afternoon and children will love it.  
 
A good pair of binoculars and an up-to-date bird guide – be it a book or an app – will help to make your visit to Maplewood much more enjoyable. Helpful staff at your local wild bird shop can give you best advice about how to enjoy birds more. And do check the white board on the wall of the sanctuary office for up-to-date information of recent bird and other wildlife sightings.
 
Happy Holidays – may the birds bring you cheer. Keep safe.
 
Al Grass is a Naturalist with Wild Bird Trust of British Columbia, which offers free walks at the Conservation Area at Maplewood Flats on the second Saturday of every month.  The next walk will be Saturday, Dec. 10, starting at 10 a.m., when we will look for the birds and wildlife that call the Maplewood Flats their winter home. Meet at 2645 Dollarton Highway, two kilometres east of the Iron Workers Second Narrows Memorial Crossing. Walks go rain or shine.