Katherine Bickford

Whiskey jacks will land on your hand looking for a quick meal – it’s not a good idea to feed them, especially food that is not part of their normal and healthy diet that must see them through the winter.

Natural food for these birds includes insects, caterpillars, beetles and grubs, berries and nuts; they are also known to scavenge carrion from hunters after a successful hunt. Their diet does not include sandwiches, cookies or French fries, which can cause nutritional problems leading to starvation.

If you wish to feed these birds, take along some nuts or fruit or better still allow them to forage for themselves, especially in the fall.

Comox Valley Record