Canada Jay

Canada Jays mix food with sticky saliva and fasten it behind bark or among branches. These hidden portions provide meals later.

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The words

Balsam Fir
A tree common in the jay’s northern forest habitat.
Carrion
Dead animal material eaten by this opportunistic bird.
Cocoons
Silken insect structures used to bind the early nest.
Egg Tooth
A small pointed structure on a hatchling’s bill.
All About Birds: Canada Jay (opens a new tab) · Cornell Lab: Glossary of bird terms (opens a new tab)
Flaking Bark
A hiding place for stored food.
Flying Insects
Insects Canada Jays catch in the air.
Food Blob
A molded portion of food glued into a storage site.
Food Spoilage
Loss of stored food quality is a concern in warmer autumn conditions.
Fungi
Food eaten by Canada Jays.
Jack Pine
A conifer in habitat used by the species.
Saliva
Sticky secretion used to fasten stored food in hiding places.
Sitka Spruce
A tree included in the western portion of its habitat.
Tugging
A way the jay pulls pieces from hard food.
Winter Nesting
Breeding in cold February and March conditions.
Yellow Cedar
A conifer associated with some occupied forests.