The gray jay, also known as the Canada jay, whisky jack, or gorbe-à-dos-gris, was adopted as the official national bird of Canada in 1947. There are several reasons why this particular species was chosen to represent the country.
Unique to Canada
The gray jay is found year-round across Canada from coast to coast. While its range extends into Alaska and some northern parts of the United States, it is more closely associated with Canada than any other country. The gray jay is common throughout Canadian boreal forests and subarctic regions. This wide distribution across Canada makes the gray jay a fitting representative of the country.
Well Adapted to Cold Climates
The gray jay thrives in cold northern climates. It has thick plumage to survive freezing winters. Its feet are covered in feathers which helps minimize heat loss. The gray jay can even reduce its body temperature at night to conserve energy. This ability to withstand extreme cold makes the gray jay a true winter bird.
Intelligence and Friendliness
Gray jays exhibit high intelligence and friendliness towards humans. They are known for being bold, mischievous, and inquisitive. Gray jays will often approach humans in the wilderness in search of food. Their fearlessness around people and seeming comfort in human presence may have contributed to them being selected as Canada’s national bird.
Cultural Significance
The gray jay holds cultural significance for Indigenous groups across Canada. It appears in legends, rituals, and art among First Nations. The Ojibwe name for the gray jay, peesay, means “trickster” or “companion.” The Mohawk name ojisoh refers to the gray jay’s role as a messenger. For the Algonquin people, seeing a gray jay was considered good luck when embarking on a journey. This cultural relevance to Indigenous Canadians added meaning to designating the gray jay as the national bird.
Role in Folklore
In Indigenous stories, the gray jay was portrayed as an intelligent prankster. The tales highlight the bird’s mischievous nature and ability to outsmart others. For example, Anishinaabe legends tell of Fisher, a powerful yet foolish hunter, who is continuously duped by the clever gray jay. These folktales embedded the gray jay into the cultural fabric of First Nations across Canada.
Totem Animal and Clan Symbol
The gray jay features prominently as a totem animal and clan symbol in many First Nations. Totems represent spiritual guides while clan symbols signify group identity. The gray jay symbolized attributes like intelligence, stealth, and ability to thrive in harsh conditions. For Indigenous groups, the choice of the gray jay as Canada’s national emblem recognized its cultural heritage.
Ideal National Symbol
The gray jay embodies many qualities that define the Canadian national identity. It is familiar, hardy, friendly, and intelligent. By inhabiting forests across the nation, the gray jay reflects values of endurance, independence, and oneness with nature. Designating this bird as Canada’s national symbol has helped foster patriotism and unity.
Familiar to Canadians
The gray jay is one of the most familiar wild birds to Canadians. It can be readily observed across Canada year-round. Generations of Canadians grew up seeing gray jays on camping trips, hikes, and canoe excursions. They learn from an early age to recognize the friendly “whisky jack” approaching them for food. The ubiquity of the gray jay across the landscape makes it a natural national emblem.
Hardy and Adaptable
Like Canadians, gray jays demonstrate hardiness, resilience, and ability to thrive under harsh conditions. Their adaptations allow them to breed and find food even in the depths of the Canadian winter. This toughness in the face of adversity mirrors qualities that Canadians pride themselves on. The gray jay’s survival skills in extreme environments parallel the perseverance of early pioneers.
Friendly and Familiar
Gray jays have an intimate association with people across Canada. Their comfort around humans and endearing antics have earned them nicknames like “camp robber” and “whisky jack.” The gray jay frequently approaches hikers, skiers, ice fishers, and other outdoorspeople. This fearless friendliness resonates with Canadians’ self-image as warm, welcoming people.
Intelligent and Adaptable
The gray jay possesses high intelligence and adaptability. Research shows gray jays use tools and solve complex problems. They cache food to survive winter and recall thousands of hiding spots. The gray jay’s mental abilities and resourcefulness mirror valued Canadian qualities like innovation, survival instinct, and grit.
Official Recognition
After years of informal cultural status, the gray jay received formal recognition as a Canadian icon in the 20th century. Its designation as the national bird spotlighted this species for the rest of the world.
Appeared on Early Coins
The gray jay first appeared on an official emblem of Canada with the 1921 Canadian five-cent coin. It was depicted perched atop a maple twig. This granted national exposure and linked the bird with Canadian currency for years to come.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1921 | Gray jay first appeared on Canadian five-cent coin |
| 1931 | Considered for national bird but lost to common loon |
| 1945 | Gray jay appears on Canadian twenty-five cent coin |
| 1947 | Gray jay officially declared national bird of Canada |
| 1967 | Gray jay appears on Canadian centennial coins |
| 1986 | National Bird of Canada day first celebrated on March 1st |
| 2017 | Gray jay appears on Canadian 150th anniversary coins |
Failed First Attempt in 1931
In 1931, Canada sought to formally name a national bird. The gray jay finished second in voting to the common loon. This demonstrated an early preference among citizens for the gray jay even though it did not yet gain official status.
Named National Bird in 1947
The gray jay was successfully designated as Canada’s national bird symbol in 1947. This formal recognition came after decades of the species being embedded in Canadian culture. Choosing the familiar gray jay finally granted it distinction on par with the beaver and maple leaf.
Conclusion
The gray jay was a natural choice as the national bird of Canada thanks to its ubiquity across the country, hardiness in cold climates, significance in Indigenous cultures, and friendly familiarity towards people. After appearing on currency and nearly winning in the 1930s, it was officially recognized in 1947 as a fitting feathered symbol of Canada. The whiskey jack’s intelligence and adaptability represent values Canadians wish to see in themselves. Its designation has helped solidify this iconic bird’s stature as a national emblem into the 21st century.
