Gray Jay - Canada's National (Northern) Bird

When I see the range map for the Gray Jay, I can understand why the Canadian Geographic magazine has declared that the Gray Jay should be Canada's National Bird. This seriously is a Canadian bird — and it was even once called the Canada Jay, a name it still holds in French: Mésangeai du Canada. 

Gray Jay - welcome in my backyard, but lives too far away... © SB

Sadly, though, we don't have Gray Jays in Regina as they aren't part of our Prairie Nature, but they are found across Saskatchewan's boreal forests. 

If I'd known on my last visit to the Banff area that this honour would be falling where it did, I'd have tried a lot harder to capture a good (with cheeky forward head tilt, and clear back feathers) image of this bird! 

What is this? A Gray Jay (Mésangeai du Canada)
Location: Deadman's Flats, near Canmore, Alberta

Photo date: October 12, 2016

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American Three-toed Woodpecker - Boreal Bird in Banff

American Three-toed Woodpeckers breed in the boreal forests of northern Saskatchewan — and also in the Rocky Mountains, where I saw one near Banff this spring. We were walking through trees when I heard that characteristic tapping sound, and stopped, expecting to see a more common bird. 

Close-up, American Three-toed Woodpecker. © SB

Full body through the trees, American Three-toed Woodpecker. © SB

When I realized this woodpecker had a bright yellow head, I looked closer, hoping for a better shot. But what's above is the best that was meant to be with this very wary American Three-toed Woodpecker.

What is this? American Three-toed Woodpecker — Pic à dos rayé
Location: Cave and Basin, Banff, Alberta, Canada.
Photo dates: April 13, 2016.

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Golden-crowned Kinglet - blog visitor from Banff

Several weeks ago, when we were visiting Banff, I saw a Golden-crowned Kinglet flitting through the tops of several nearby trees. Perhaps this Kinglet doesn't belong on this blog, as my subject is distant, as I was from the Prairies...

Male Golden-crowned Kinglet
with crown feathers raised. © SB

Golden-crowned Kinglet © SB

But Golden-crowned Kinglets migrate through southern Saskatchewan on their way to breeding grounds in our province's boreal forests, and so, to remind myself of this tiny (extremely tiny) songbird, and in hopes of seeing another at a closer range, here are two shots of my first Golden-crowned Kinglet.


What is this? A Golden-crowned Kinglet — Roitelet à couronne dorée
Location: Cave and Basin, Banff, Alberta, Canada.
Photo dates: April 13, 2016.

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