No, a Canada jay and a blue jay are two different species of birds found in North America. The Canada jay (Perisoreus canadensis) and the blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata) have some similarities but also many distinct differences.
Quick Facts
Canada Jay
- Scientific name: Perisoreus canadensis
- Other common names: Gray jay, whisky jack
- Size: 25-33 cm (9.8-13 in) long with a wingspan of 34-41 cm (13-16 in)
- Color: Gray upperparts, white underparts, black nape, lighter gray head
- Habitat: Boreal and mountain forests of Canada and Alaska
- Diet: Omnivorous – insects, small vertebrates, fungi, seeds, nuts, berries
- Behavior: Friendly, will often approach humans looking for food
- Nesting: Builds nests of twigs, bark, moss in conifer trees
Blue Jay
- Scientific name: Cyanocitta cristata
- Size: 22-30 cm (8.5-11.8 in) long with a wingspan of 34-43 cm (13-17 in)
- Color: Blue upperparts, white underparts, black necklace, blue crest
- Habitat: Eastern and central North America in woodlands
- Diet: Omnivorous – acorns, nuts, seeds, fruits, insects, eggs, small vertebrates
- Behavior: Intelligent, sometimes aggressive, curious
- Nesting: Builds nests of twigs lined with rootlets high in trees
As you can see, while both are medium-sized songbirds found in North America, the two species have distinct differences in appearance and habitat.
Appearance
The Canada jay has grayish-brown upperparts and a white face and underparts. It has a black nape connecting the gray head to the gray back. The blue jay is brighter blue above and white below with a larger blue crest on its head and a black necklace across its throat.
The Canada jay has a longer tail and wingspan compared to its overall length. The blue jay has a proportionately shorter tail and wingspan.
Species | Length | Wingspan |
---|---|---|
Canada Jay | 25-33 cm | 34-41 cm |
Blue Jay | 22-30 cm | 34-43 cm |
The blue jay’s crest can be raised and lowered, while the Canada jay has a flatter crown. Canada jays have small black feet, while blue jays have larger black feet with a hint of blue.
Habitat and Range
The habitats and ranges of these two jays also differ. Canada jays live year-round in boreal forests across Canada, Alaska, and some mountainous parts of the western United States. They thrive in cold climates.
Blue jays have a wider range across Eastern and Central North America. They prefer deciduous or mixed woods habitats rather than dense coniferous forests. Their range extends further south than the Canada jay.
Species | Habitat | Range |
---|---|---|
Canada Jay | Boreal forests | Canada, Alaska, Western mountains |
Blue Jay | Deciduous/mixed forests | Eastern and Central North America |
Behavior
The behavior of these two jays also differs in some key ways. Canada jays are tame and approachable, often landing close to humans looking for food. Blue jays are more intelligent and curious but tend to keep their distance from people.
Canada jays make quiet rasping calls, while blue jays have a wide variety of loud, screeching calls. Blue jays are also excellent mimics while Canada jays do not mimic other birds.
Blue jays can sometimes act aggressive, especially around bird feeders where they chase away other birds. Canada jays do not act territorial or aggressive.
Both jays may cache food to eat later. But the Canada jay relies on cached food for survival in harsh winters more than blue jays do.
Diet
Canada jays and blue jays have omnivorous diets, meaning they eat a variety of plant and animal matter. Their specific diets show some differences.
Canada jays eat insects, fungi, small vertebrates, seeds, nuts, and berries. They rely heavily on cached food like fungi and meat for winter survival.
Blue jays similarly eat insects, nuts and seeds, berries, and small animals. However, they are more reliant on acorns and other nuts. Blue jays are also known to raid other birds’ nests for eggs and nestlings.
Both species can become habituated to backyard bird feeders. But Canada jays more readily adapt to taking handouts.
Nesting
Both Canada jays and blue jays build nests of twigs, bark, moss, and plant fibers. However, their nest placement differs.
Canada jays nest exclusively in coniferous trees like spruce, pine, and fir. Nests are usually built on horizontal branches well away from the tree trunk.
Blue jays nest in both deciduous trees and conifers. They prefer to nest in forked branches nearer to the trunk which provides more stability.
Species | Nest Location |
---|---|
Canada Jay | Horizontal branches of conifers |
Blue Jay | Forks of branches in both deciduous and conifers |
Both species lay similar clutches of 2-5 eggs which hatch after an incubation period around 18 days. The nestling period is about 3 weeks for both the Canada jay and blue jay before the young fledge.
Taxonomy
Canada jays and blue jays are not closely related within the family of songbirds known as Corvidae.
Canada jays belong to the genus Perisoreus within the jay and crow subfamily Corvinae. However, they are not closely related to other North American jays like the blue jay, gray jay, and Steller’s jay. Instead, they are a distinct early offshoot from the lines leading to other Corvinae jays.
Blue jays belong to the genus Cyanocitta within the subfamily Corvinae. They are most closely related to the Steller’s jay and other New World jays.
Conclusion
In summary, while the Canada jay and blue jay are both medium-sized Corvidae jays living in North America, they are quite distinct species. Differences can be seen in their appearance, habitat preferences, behavior, diet, nesting habits, and taxonomy. The grayish Canada jay survives year-round in Canada’s boreal forest, while the brighter blue jay prefers temperate deciduous woods further south. So while both may be considered “jays”, the Canada jay and blue jay are unique species that fill different ecological roles across North America.