On June 9, 2022, a copy of a promotional book entitled “The Canada Jay as
Canada’s National Bird?” has been given to each and every one of Canada’s
338 federal Members of Parliament, including The Honourable Pablo Rodriguez,
Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism, and The Honourable
Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada. The
prime message in the classy-looking colourful book of 80 pages is to
encourage the federal government to take steps to adopt a National Bird for
Canada, and hopefully to take it a step further — to make that bird the
Canada Jay!
Why does Canada even need a National Bird, you may well ask? One in five
Canadians spends an average a third of their year watching, feeding, and/or
photographing birds, representing big bucks for our economy! Birds also
eat pests, pollinate our plants and crops, disperse seeds; their eggs and
meat (yes, chickens are birds!) feed us and their feathers keep us warm.
Birds save human lives by globally warning us of environmental health
hazards such as carcinogenic pesticides and industrial by-products. As for
their intrinsic value, how many great writers, artists, film makers, and
even aviators and astronauts have been inspired by the beauty, the song and
the flight of these amazing unique creatures?! Wikipedia’s List of
National Birds indicates that 106 of the world’s 195 countries have official
birds. For example, the U.S. takes a lot of national pride in their National
Bird — the Bald Eagle. But Canada is not in the list — we do not have one!
Yet our country does have national symbols – the beaver, the maple tree, two
sports and even a national horse! But alas — no official bird.
For a National Bird for Canada, one could not find a more Canadian bird than
the aptly named Canada Jay! This very smart corvid breeds in every province
and territory and its range almost mirrors our country’s borders. It is
extremely friendly, often landing on an outstretched palm and it is
extremely hardy – often incubating eggs at -20 degrees C, resides year-round
in our country, and is found in all provinces! Its French name is le
mésangeai du Canada and its popular name, whiskyjack, is derived from one of
the largest indigenous language groups in Canada. Canada Jays have played a
prominent role in both Indigenous culture and our country’s history.
Importantly, unlike the Common Loon (Ontario) and the Snowy Owl (Quebec),
Canada Jays are not the bird of any province!
An electronic copy of the book is included with this press release (password
is “canada”), but hard copies can be provided. PHOTOS ARE AVAILABLE!! All
profits from its sales are going to non-profit bird conservation
organizations. Web site: <http://www.canadajay.org> http://www.canadajay.org
