Author: Matt Davis

Canada Jay

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A  Canada Jay(Perisoreus canadensis) Is a songbird that is classified in the family Corvidae.

Physical Characteristics

Adult Canada Jays are gray overall, but their bellies and torsos are paler. The juveniles are a sooty-gray color.

Length 25-29cm(10”-11.4”)
Wingspan 46 cm(1’6″)
Weight58-84 gm(2-3 oz)

Range

Canada Jays can be found year round throughout most of Canada. In the U.S.A. it can be seen in east-central Arizona, northern California, central Colorado,  Idaho, north-central New Mexico, and southwestern South Dakota, and Utah.

Habitat

Canada Jays inhabit Boreal forest, and subalpine forest.

Breeding

The male Canada Jay choses the nest site.  Both … Continue

Northern Cardinal

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Female on the left, and a male on the right

A Northern Cardinal(Cardinalis cardinalis),  is a songbird classified in the family Cardinalidae. Northern Cardinals are unique among songbirds because both the male and female sing. Typically only male songbirds sing.

Physical Characteristics

The male’s body is a bright red, with a black mask and throat.  The female’s body is pale brown overall with red tinges on the wings and tail. Both the male and female have a crest(a set of extended feathers) on their heads. Juvenile birds are similar in appearance to the female but have a grayish-black beak.

Length
… Continue

Razorbill(Alca torda)

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The Razorbill(Alca torda), also known as the Razor-Billed Auk, or Lesser Auk is a seabird that is classified in the Auk(Alcidae) family 

Physical Characteristics

Breeding adults are black on their backs, and their torso and belly are white. They have a white line on their bill, and there is a white band around the front of the bill. In the nonbreeding season an adult Razorbill’s throat is white.

Length43 cm(1’5″)
Wingspan63-68 cm(2’1″-2’3″)
Weight505-890 gm(1-1.96 lbs.)

Range

In North America the Razorbill can be found in; Atlantic Canada,  Quebec, Ontario, Nunavut,  New Jersey, New York,  and … Continue

Tufted Puffin(Fratercula cirrhata)

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The Tufted Puffin(Fratercula cirrhata), also known as the Crested Puffin is a seabird that is classified in the auk(Alcidae) family. The Tufted Puffin can reach lengths up to 40 cm(1’4”) and weights up to 1 kg(2 lbs); This makes the Tufted Puffin the largest species of puffin. 

Physical Characteristics

During the breeding season the Tufted Puffin has a black body, a white face, a orange and yellow bill, red rimmed eyes, and two yellow plumes  hanging out of the back of its head. During the nonbreeding season Tufted Puffins’ faces turn gray, their bills  turn orange and … Continue

Icon Of The North: Moose

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The Moose(Alces alces), is the largest member of the Cervidae family(deer family). In Europe Moose are called elk. Male Moose are often referred to as bulls, and females are often referred to as cows. Animals that prey on Moose, especially Moose calves,  include; bears and wolves. Moose have been known to run as fast as 55km/h(34 mph).  

Physical Characteristics

The upper parts of a Moose are dark brown, to black in color; the lower legs are usually a light gray. Bulls are larger than cows, and weigh an average of 533kg(1,175 lbs.). Cows weigh an average of 325kg(717 lbs.). … Continue