Gray Jays are true residents of the northern reaches of North America. Not only do they start nesting while the snow is still on the ground (and their backs), they use the cold to prolong the shelf-life of their stored food! Since these birds store food they are able to live year-round in established territories, feed their nestlings when other species are only starting to nest, and live to be up to 16 years of age! As I said, the Gray Jays are a REAL NORTHERN SPECIES!