Canada Jays

Canada Jays Four seasons ‘round, Canada jays are found, Perched in tree branches, safe and sound, Resting after flying throughout the North, In the Canadian boreal forests. Heard and not seen unless it’s their intention To disturb the silence, making known their presence By confronting intruders in the area With shrill barking, expressing displeasure. Their shaded greys of feathery plumage bests Darker on the back, with lighter puffed breasts. On a round head adorns a snow-capped crown, Endowed with dark eyes and a sharp, short, pointed bill. They have feet equipped with talons to grip the limb tight, While long, white-tipped tail feathers fan in flight, Which serves the robin-sized creature well in this climate And adapts the songbird to its environment. Then, it’s off scavenging, preparing for winter In territories established by mating pairs, Who swish food in their mouths to coat it with saliva, Ensuring successful seasonal survival By hiding the sticky boluses in trees And memorizing the local scenery, As marauding eyes spy on the jays’ commotions To steal morsels from the clandestine caches. During cold weather, they fluff up their feathers To stay warm and hide their feet from exposure And twist their necks to tuck in their beaks Under the wing flap joint to maintain body heat. Sometimes, they snuggle for companionship And share warmth during winter hardships. The birds, confirming whispers to their mate for life, Find comfort in their labours, making it worthwhile. In early spring, when the air is cold and the snow deep, The male selects the south side of the tree for a nest site for the sun’s heat, Building the nest with dead twigs, bark strips, and lichens, With caterpillar cocoons for reinforcement. The cup is feather-lined for the female to lay, Who does not leave the clutch until the eggs are hatched. The male feeds her throughout the incubation period, Then she joins him in the raising of their offspring.