Family: Corvidae, Crows, Magpies, Jays view all from this family

Description 12-13" (30-33 cm). Pigeon-sized, with flashing black, white, and gray pattern. Light gray, with dark eye and long, sharply pointed bill. Black wing with large white wing patch at trailing edge; black tail with white outer tail feathers. Face white from forehead to chin; belly white. Crow-like flight.

Habitat Stands of juniper and ponderosa pine or of whitebark pine and larch on high mountain ranges, near the tree line.

Nesting 2-6 spotted green eggs in a deep bowl nest of sticks in a coniferous tree. Nests very early.

Range Resident in southern British Columbia and Alberta south throughout pine-clad western mountains to California and Colorado.

Voice   A guttural kraaaa.

Discussion The periodic irruptions of Clark's Nutcrackers, which may bring the birds all the way to the Pacific Coast, are related to failures of the pine nut crop. Near camps and picnic sites this erratic winter wanderer begs and steals food scraps. It can hold several nuts in a special cheek pouch under the tongue in addition to those it holds in the beak.