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Florida Scrub Jay ~ Aphelocoma coerulescens~ Bold, blue-and-gray jay of oak scrub in central Florida. Juveniles have browner head and back than adults. Lacks crest and patterning on the wings and tail seen on Blue Jay. Very social, staying in close family groups to raise young. Readily hops on the ground while searching for food. Unique scrubby habitat must burn periodically in order to remain appropriate for Florida Scrub-Jays. Classified as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. eBird.org
Florida Scrub Jay
From Cornell:
The Florida Scrub-Jay is a well-studied cooperative breeder, with most offspring staying with their parents to help them raise young for at least one year.
The Florida Scrub-Jay used to be considered part of one species, the Scrub Jay, together with the Western and Island scrub-jays. Genetic evidence showed that the Florida birds were genetically quite different from the western jays.
Individual members of a Florida Scrub-Jay family take turns watching for hawks while the rest of the family looks for food. If a dangerous hawk is seen, the sentinel gives an alarm call and everyone dives for cover. A different call alerts the family to snakes and other dangers on the ground, and the entire family will join in mobbing a terrestrial predator.
When not persecuted, and especially when provided with food, the Florida Scrub-Jay becomes very tame. It will readily perch on a person's hand, arm, or head to get food.
Note from Photographer - They've perched on my head.
You can hear a Florida Scrub Jay call here: identify.whatbird.com/obj/788/_/Florida_Scrub-Jay.aspx.
Females also vocalize using a 'hiccup' call - it's quite unique.
Because of its highly restricted choice of habitat and low dispersal ability, populations of the Florida Scrub-Jay have become very isolated. Jays from the Atlantic Coast, central Florida, and southwestern Florida differ in some of their vocalizations, despite being separated by less than 100 miles.
From Audubon:
By 1993, Florida Scrub-jay populations had declined an estimated 90%, to about 10,000 individuals. Since then, further, severe declines have been documented in some Scrub-jay populations in Brevard County and elsewhere.
Likely the greatest threat they face now is in-breeding. If you'd like to read more about attempts to address this threat, I'd suggest reading this article from the National Audubon Society - www.audubon.org/magazine/winter-2020/how-researchers-hope... -
How Researchers Hope to Save the Florida Scrub-Jay From an Inbreeding Crisis.
The Florida Scrub Jay is endemic only to Florida. They are illegal to feed but lots of people will take peanuts when going to their areas. They will come and stand on your head, or in your hand and eat a peanut.
I had met a very nice couple in Savannas State Park – Hawk’s Bluff Trail. As we chatted, I mentioned that I had never seen a Florida Scrub jay and was hoping to see some on this trip. They continued up the trail and I decided to take some photos of a sandhill crane that was nearby. I was back on the trail after a few minutes when Wendy came running towards me and breathlessly announced that a pair of scrub jays were close by! We hurried towards where her husband was taking pictures, and sure enough the jays were still there. The jays were used to being around people, and I was able to move around and get some shots with decent backgrounds. Having taken lots of images, we left the jays to themselves, me with a big smile on my face. Thanks so much, Dennis and Wendy!
My sincere thanks to all who spend the time to view, like or comment on my photos. It is much appreciated!
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The Florida scrub-jay is protected by the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act. It is also protected as a Threatened species by the Federal Endangered Species Act and as a Federally-designated Threatened species by Florida’s Endangered and Threatened Species Rule. Prescribed burning is an essential element to conserving the Florida scrub-jay. ~ MyFWC
A trip to Oscar Scherer State Park in Venice, FL. The only place locally we have ever seen the elusive Florida Scrub-jay.
Happy Wing Wednesday!
After seven winters of coming to Florida, I finally got a photograph of the Florida Scrub Jay. Its beauty lived up to its billing, having gotten this photo in the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge today.
We did finally get out and about last week, but it was incredibly hot. As we were returning we passed under a tree with several Florida Scrub Jays. We go to this State Park for the purpose of seeing these birds, so we were delighted. This one Jay was on a branch by itself and stayed for a good while.When we got home we noticed the different coloring on it by viewing the images. It is just a youngster and getting its colors. The adult birds have more blue and a gray head.
Oscar Scherer State Park in Venice, FL.
Happy Wing Wednesday!
The Florida scrub jay is one of the species of scrub jay native to North America. It is the only species of bird endemic to the U.S. state of Florida and one of only 15 species endemic to the continental United States. Because of this, it is keenly sought by birders. It is known to have been present in Florida as a distinct species for at least 2 million years, and is possibly derived from the ancestors of Woodhouse's scrub jay. ~ Wikipedia
Florida Scrub Jay ~ The Florida Scrub-Jay was classified as a Threatened species by the state in 1975, and by the federal government in 1987, but these designations have failed to halt the population decline. By 1993, Florida Scrub-jay populations had declined an estimated 90%, to about 10,000 individuals. Since then, further, severe declines have been documented in some Scrub-jay populations in Brevard County and elsewhere. ~ Florida Audubon
Florida scrub jays are omnivorous and eat a wide variety of acorns, seeds, peanuts, insects, tree frogs, turtles, snakes, lizards, and young mice. They have also been occasionally observed to eat other birds' eggs or nestlings, but this occurs rarely. They routinely cache thousands of acorns a year, burying them just beneath the surface. The acorns are typically buried in the fall and consumed during the winter and spring. Acorns that are forgotten or missed may germinate, making the Florida Scrub-Jay an effective agent for the dispersal of a variety of oak trees. ~ Wikipedia
Always exciting when we can see and capture these pretty Florida birds!
Oscar Scherer State Park Venice, FL
The Florida scrub jay has a highly specialized diet that consists mainly of acorns and is able to cache thousands of acorns per year in memory of their locations, making them one of the few species of birds that exhibit true spatial memory.
Florida Scrub Jay ~ Aphelocoma coerulescens~ Bold, blue-and-gray jay of oak scrub in central Florida. Juveniles have browner head and back than adults. Lacks crest and patterning on the wings and tail seen on Blue Jay. Very social, staying in close family groups to raise young. Readily hops on the ground while searching for food. Unique scrubby habitat must burn periodically in order to remain appropriate for Florida Scrub-Jays. Classified as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. eBird.org
Western Scrub-Jay (Adult Interior) closely related to the Florida Scrub-Jay. Photographed on the Grand Mesa, Western Colorado.
Florida Scrub Jays are edemic to Florida and are a threatened species due to habitat loss. They are very friendly and not afraid to come up close to humans in many locations where they have had a lot of contact.
This bird has been on my bucket list for along time and we finally managed to capture one at Oscar Scherer State Park in Venice, FL.
This species is only found in Florida and has been on the endangered list since the 1990's. It's habitat is slowing disappearing. Oscar Scherer has recently had a controlled burn and this is good for their habitat. They nest low to the ground in oak scrub. This was a rather happy bird with a full mouth!
Oscar Scherer State Park in Venice, FL