the canada jay is a small member of the corvid family native to north america, primarily canada and the northern united states . they are often compared to chickadees and similar small birds, rather than their close relatives crows and ravens, and sport an unusually ‘soft’ appearance for the corvid family. however, their eating habits are rather vicious. this bird is omnivorous, feeding on everything from chokecherries to slime mold. despite their appearances, they are voracious hunters and conquer not only insects and arthropods, but also nestling birds and small mammals of comparable size such as mice. they have even been recorded taking an adult warbler in flight. these birds are monogamous and stay together for life; in the event a bird is widowed, they may take another mate. canada jays produce a ‘dominant’ offspring every clutch that stays on the parents’ territory the following year.