The Gray Jay is found from tree line in northern Canada and Alaska south through boreal and subalpine forests to northern California on the west coast, Arizona and New Mexico in the Rocky Mountains, northern Wisconsin in the midwest, and New York in the east. Perisoreus canadensis has never been recorded outside of North America.
Pacific birds show extensive dark on the head and brownish-tinged backs.
Rocky Mountain birds south of Canada have a whiter head. Juveniles from all populations are sooty overall and gray-billed with white malar stripes. Gray Jays have a clear, pleasant whistle of wheeeooo or wheee-ah . Like Blue Jays, P. canadensis sometimes sound a screeching jaaay . Gray Jays are known to mimic sounds.