Canada has a new national bird – the world’s smartest.
Despite all the hype for Blue Jays, a two-year long search for Canada’s national bird has bestowed the honour upon the Gray Jay.
The decision was made by the Royal Canadian Geographical Society after 50,000 votes were cast.
Gray Jays – also known as whiskey jacks – are found in every province and territory and reflect our countries virtues of strength, wisdom, and friendliness. The name is derived from Cree and Algonquin languages.
“They’re the smartest birds on the planet. That’s actually been shown scientifically,” says David Bird (!), a professor emeritus from Montreal’s McGill University and one of the country’s foremost ornithologists. “[It’s] the perfect bird for Canada.”
Another fun fact is that the birds never leave Canada and are completely fine to chill here through winter where they nest.
“You’ve got friendly, hardy and intelligent — that, to me, epitomizes the average Canadian,” says Bird.
The RCGS will now push for the Gray Jay to be officially recognized by the federal government as our national bird and announced the candidate yesterday evening at its annual dinner at the National War Museum in Ottawa.
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