Canada's national bird loon-acy: Twitter reacts to the whisky jack
Canadians flock to social media to chirp, cluck and crow about outcome of National Bird Project
After a countrywide vote, the Royal Canadian Geographical Society has ended its two-year National Bird Project and unveiled its pick for Canada's newest national symbol.
In the end, the whisky jack — also known as the grey jay or the Canada jay — prevailed over the common loon, black-capped chickadee, snowy owl and Canada goose.
The loon actually led the national poll with nearly 14,000 votes out of the 50,000 cast. The grey jay didn't even make second place — that went to the snowy owl, with the jay falling third.
- The whisky jack may soon become Canada's national bird
- Meet the elusive grey jay, top choice for Canada's national bird
But a spokesperson said staff vetoed the loon and snowy owl because they are already provincial symbols in Ontario and Quebec.
The decision, of course, ruffled some feathers with Canadians.
Gray Jay named Canada's national bird.<br>"Not gonna lie. This one hurts. This is gonna take some time."<br>-A Common Loon
—@22_MinutesThe Gray Jay AKA Whiskey Jack is Canada's national bird...edging out the Loon in the electoral vote..while losing the popular vote.
—@AjGautamMBAIn light of events down south, Canada's urgent quest to choose a national bird this week was delightful and oddly moving. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WhiskeyJack?src=hash">#WhiskeyJack</a>
—@emtotheaOK as CEO of <a href="https://twitter.com/CanGeo">@CanGeo</a> I admit <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GrayJay?src=hash">#GrayJay</a> was not my 1st choice for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CanadaBird?src=hash">#CanadaBird</a>, but soon became a convert. Whiskey Jack IS Canada with wings.
—@JohnGGeigerWhen you realize Canada chose a <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GrayJay?src=hash">#GrayJay</a> as their national bird. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BlueIsTheNewGray?src=hash">#BlueIsTheNewGray</a> <a href="https://t.co/4HJWnRCCx6">pic.twitter.com/4HJWnRCCx6</a>
—@BlueJaysIf we could call it the 'rye whiskey jack' would like even more. And if we can lose 'Canada' link with awful geese, total victory. <a href="https://t.co/ss31w8VzLl">https://t.co/ss31w8VzLl</a>
—@awilsonsmith<a href="https://twitter.com/tansyko">@tansyko</a> photo credit: <a href="https://twitter.com/chelfant">@chelfant</a> <a href="https://t.co/YOpteKLUSf">pic.twitter.com/YOpteKLUSf</a>
—@jaygraymattersThis BBC article is the best coverage of the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GrayJay?src=hash">#GrayJay</a> news. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Canada?src=hash">#Canada</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CanadaBird?src=hash">#CanadaBird</a> <a href="https://t.co/lLmsN2i4my">https://t.co/lLmsN2i4my</a> <a href="https://t.co/7zb629RZQP">pic.twitter.com/7zb629RZQP</a>
—@carlyjchalmersThe society will now lobby the federal government to adopt the whisky jack as the nation's official bird to mark Canada's 150th birthday in 2017.
With files from Lien Yeung