Weighing in on a ‘friendly little trickster’

Re Time for the loon, Editorial Nov. 18 The Star has properly brought up the very serious matter of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society bird watchers riding roughshod over the popular choice of the common loon over the lowly little grey jay, or whiskey jack.

I would have voted for the loon too, but after reading the same edition’s front page article and description of these all most exclusively pan-Canadian personable hard-working industrious little fellows, I have changed my democratic mind. They thrive in the harsher conditions of our real northern climes.

If our Canadian First Nations’ astute observations of these clever little birds won a humorous special place in their folklore — keep your eye on these “friendly little tricksters” — then that seals it for me. If Canadians learned more about these brave hardy stout survivors, the grey jay would win wings down. What bird could be more representative of our national character? Brad Taylor, Toronto

The grey jay as Canada’s official bird? Admittedly it’s cute, but it’s nowhere near as ubiquitous as the Canada goose, which is recognized by almost everyone, even overseas, where it’s commonly referred to as the “Canadian” goose.

I had a good laugh over Edward Keenan’s ideas for an official Toronto bird. The pigeon should win hands down! Diana Hooper, Willowdale “Stout,” maybe, but “diminutive” and “little” hardly describe this majestic monarch of our northern forest.

I agree with Dan Strickland that this is a wonderful choice. Carol DeFields, St. Williams, Ont. Most Canadians voted for the common loon as our national bird and the geographical society picks third-place grey jay? I’d say we definitely got Trumped. Alan Pellettier, Scarborough What an appropriate choice. A bird that spends the summer in Canada and the winter in Florida. Richard Fister, Newcastle Grey jay sounds so boring, eh? Yvonne Philpott, Richmond Hill