Whispers of the Taiga: The Enchanting World of Siberian Jays

I met the Siberian Jay in the early ’90s while skiing in Ylläs, Lapland. I had never seen this beautiful bird before, but it was love at first sight.

I was captivated by this charming bird — it is not only beautiful but also curious and fearless. Its beauty truly shines when the bird take flight, illuminated by the sun as it graces their wings.

Siberian Jay, Kuukkeli, bird flying, Kuusamo, Kuusamonaturephotography, Finland, birds, linnut @Minna Jacobson
Kuukkeli – Forest beautiful fairy

While I was skiing in Ylläs, the ski route had several cozy rest stops where fellow hikers would gather around a campfire to grill sausages and enjoy the warmth. And, of course, there were Siberian Jays perched in the nearby trees. Namely they love sausage and minced meat, which tourist feed them.

Kuukkeli, Siberian Jay, fearless and sympathetic, Kuusamo, Finland, Suomi, linnut, Kuusamonaturephotography @Minna Jacobson
Fearless and sympathetic, the Siberian Jay is like a messenger of the northern forests, arriving to greet a curious visitor and see if there’s anything on offer.

In case you want to know more about the place where I was skiing, you can find info by clicking this Ylläs -link. Ylläs is situated in the western part of Finnish Lapland, near the town of Kolari. It’s part of the Ylläs-Pallas National Park, which is known for its wilderness and pristine nature. Ylläs is the largest ski resort in Lapland and one of the largest in Finland.

The Siberian Jay boasts a distinctive appearance

Siberian Jays, medium-sized with a distinctive appearance — sporting a black-capped head, a short black bill, and mainly brownish-gray plumage.

Kuukkeli, Siberian Jay, birds, linnut, Lapland, Lappi, Kuusamo, Konttainen, Suomi, Finland @Minna Jacobson
Is there any wilderness explorer, hiker, or wanderer in the northern forests whom the Siberian Jay hasn’t followed from tree to tree or whose campfire site the Siberian Jay hasn’t visited?

Siberian Jays are known for their social behavior. It is monogamous, which means that they find a lifelong partner, sharing a bond that lasts a lifetime. They often form also family groups and are active and agile in their movements through the trees. They are also known to be curious birds.

Kuukkeli, Siberian Jay, Kuusamo, linnut, birds, spruce forest, Suomi, Finland @Minna Jacobson
The bird appears unnoticed from the depths of the spruce forest, and just as suddenly, it has vanished.

Their diet is varied and includes insects, berries, seeds and small invertebrates. They are known to cache food during the winter months when resources are scarce.

While visiting Kuusamo in 2022, we observed a fascinating behavior among Siberian Jays. Specifically, at a parking area known as Konttainen, frequented by tourists arriving by buses, it became evident that these birds have a penchant for minced meat. Many visitors brought along minced meat, and the Jays displayed remarkable behavior by closely following people and even retrieving the meat directly from their hands.

The Siberian Jay is not considered globally threatened. However, like many bird species, it may face local challenges due to habitat loss and climate change.

Siperian Jays can be found in Lapland

Siberian Jays are indigenous to the boreal forests of northern Eurasia, encompassing Siberia and northern Europe. They thrive in coniferous and mixed forests, with a preference for those dominated by spruce and pine trees.

To capture photographs of the Siberian Jay in Finland, one must currently venture to Lapland. Known as ‘kuukkeli’ in Finnish, the Siberian Jay has been designated as a species under monitoring in Finland.

Kuukkelit, Siberian Jays, Kuusamonaturephotography, Kuusamo, linnut, birds, bird watching, bird photography, Suomi, Finland @Minna Jacobson
Siberian Jays are known for their social behaviour.

This designation stems from the diminishing living space for these birds, as they primarily inhabit old forests. In the southern regions of Finland, forests are now predominantly cultivated for intensive forestry, contributing to the reduction of suitable habitats for the Siberian Jay.

Kuukkeli, Siberian Jay, birds, linnut, lintu lentää, birds flying, Lapland, Lappi, old forest, Kuusamo Naturephotography @Minna Jacobson
Its beauty truly shines when the bird take flight, illuminated by the sun as it graces their wings.

These birds play crucial roles in ecosystems, contributing to seed dispersal and insect control.

Siberian Jay, the enigmatic wilderness bird, is entwined with tales and beliefs. A peculiar bond of trust and friendship weaves between this bird and those venturing into nature. As a newcomer steps into the forest, the Siberian Jay subtly observes from its covert perch. Once it deems the visitor worthy, it emerges to offer a greeting. From that point on, the Siberian Jay becomes not just a friendly companion but a captivating presence, sharing the company of those who enter its woodland realm.

Thank you for visiting my blog. Have you ever encountered a Siberian Jay? I’d love to hear your stories.

If you’re interested in receiving my posts directly to your email, please subscribe.

Minna from Finnish Nature

31 thoughts on “Whispers of the Taiga: The Enchanting World of Siberian Jays”

    1. Thank you Magickmermaid! Kuukeli is interesting bird as it is curious and not very shy. I met it also this autumn when visiting Kuusamo. Luckily in Lapland there is still old forests where kuukkeli is able to live.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  2. Such a very pretty bird and your photographs show it off beautifully. I wish out species could find ways to survive without encroaching on all those others. Wrong word, I suppose. We could if only we would.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  3. The Jay’s fearless behavior shows a long adaptation in a tough environment. To a large extent, this is probably due to the fact that they have not been hunted or associated with dark legends. On the contrary, they have always been received positively throughout the ages. My father told me that they were always welcome at the log cabin, during the forest logging in the 1920s. Even then, they ate the American pork right out of his hand. They often associate fire with people and appear seemingly out of nowhere.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Interesting story Hans, thank you for sharing it with me 😊 I read that kuukkeli (Siberian Jay) brings luck and those killing it will face bad luck rest of his/her life 😀

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. Thank you so much. This bird, kuukkeli, lives nowadays in Norhern Finland. Some decades ago it was still living in South Finland. You should travel to Lapland, there is good change to see it 😊

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. Thank you so much, I am happy to hear that you like my photos 😊 Grey Jay seems to be similar to Siberian Jay. Siberian jay is called kuukkeli in Finnish and I noticed that Grey Jay is harmaakuukkeli (harmaa is grey).

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  8. What a sweet bird! I have never heard of or seen a Siberian Jay. I wonder if any pass through my area at all during migration. I will have to look this bird up in my Collins Bird book. Fantastic shots, especially the first one with those wings spread.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thank you so much for your kind comment! This bird is so nice to photograph as it is curious and nor afraid of people. And also the wings in the sinshine are amazing 😊

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. Siberian jay is mainly living in old forests, in Finland it is nowadays seen only in Lapland. I am not sure if this bird can be found in the UK.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

Leave a reply to Tra Italia e Finlandia Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.