Gray Jays, otherwise known as "Whiskey-Jacks", are frequently seen around Grouse Mountain during the wintertime. They show up about the time of our first snow-fall and stay well into the spring.
Gray Jays are known by many other names: "Lumberjacks", "Venison-hawks", "Meat-birds", "Camp-robbers" and more. By looking at these names the personality of this confident little bird becomes apparent.
Gray Jays have a history of hanging around logging camps and making off with shiny bits of metal as well as mouthfuls of food. They are one species of bird who do not appear to be frightened by humans and they will often land on your hand or shoulder looking for a free meal.
To survive in cold climates, Gray Jays have come up with an innovative solution. During the fall when food is more plentiful, they will take mouthfuls of food and coat it with a sticky saliva solution. The Whiskey-Jack then finds an old woodpecker drilling hole, or other natural crack in the bark of Fir trees, and deposits the food well above the snow-line for later consumption.
Next time you are on the mountain, listen for the "whee-oo" whistle of this thrifty bird and watch for one jumping around a nearby tree.
