Clark's Nutcracker / Nucifraga columbiana

Clark’s Nutcrackers live in the mountainous areas of the Western United States and Canada, so I only see these when out in the mountains, including Harvey Heights, Canmore (near Banff). Taken on the annual Banff/Canmore Christmas Bird Count on December 17th. Really bad light that day, and this is one of the only photos that came out well enough to post. Not to be confused with the Gray Jay, with similar colouring but a much shorter bill.

"•The Clark's Nutcracker has a special pouch under its tongue that it uses to carry seeds long distances. The nutcracker harvests seeds from pine trees and takes them away to hide them for later use.
•The Clark's Nutcracker hides thousands and thousands of seeds each year. Laboratory studies have shown that the bird has a tremendous memory and can remember where to find most of the seeds it hides.
•The Clark's Nutcracker is one of very few members of the crow family where the male incubates the eggs. In jays and crows, taking care of the eggs is for the female only. But the male nutcracker actually develops a brood patch on its chest just like the female, and takes his turn keeping the eggs warm while the female goes off to get seeds out of her caches."

www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Clarks_Nutcracker/lifehistory/ac

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clark's_Nutcracker