The Lazy Naturalist - Sarasota, Florida

Exploring Nature in Sarasota, South Central Florida, and Beyond

Florida Scrub Jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens)

by Artie Visual, Categories: Birds Tags:

Amidst the sun-drenched sands and whispering palmettos of Florida’s scrublands, there exists a creature of extraordinary charisma and ecological significance—the Florida Scrub Jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens). As the state’s only endemic bird species, the Scrub Jay’s story is one of adaptation, resilience, and the delicate balance of nature. Join me on a journey through the scrublands, as we uncover the secrets and splendor of this avian marvel.

The Habitat: Florida’s Ancient Scrublands

The Florida Scrub Jay is intricately tied to the unique habitat of Florida’s scrublands, a landscape characterized by sandy soils, low-growing shrubs, and scattered patches of scrub oaks and pines. These ancient ecosystems, shaped by millennia of fire and climate, provide the perfect environment for the Scrub Jay to thrive.

Scrublands are a remnant of the Pleistocene era, a time when vast areas of Florida were covered in scrubby vegetation. Today, these habitats are fragmented, found in pockets across the state, particularly in central and coastal regions. The jays favor scrub oaks (Quercus inopina, Quercus chapmanii, and Quercus geminata), which offer both food and shelter.

Walking through these scrublands, one can’t help but feel a sense of timelessness. The white sand underfoot, the scent of rosemary and saw palmetto in the air, and the distant call of the Scrub Jay combine to create an atmosphere that is both ancient and alive.

Appearance and Behavior: A Bird with Character

The Florida Scrub Jay is a striking bird, easily recognizable by its vibrant blue plumage and pale gray underparts. Measuring about 11 inches in length, with a wingspan of 13 inches, it is a medium-sized bird with a strong personality.

One of the most endearing traits of the Scrub Jay is its social nature. These birds are highly territorial and live in family groups consisting of a breeding pair and their offspring from previous years. This cooperative breeding behavior is a fascinating aspect of their biology. Young jays often stay with their parents for several years, helping to raise subsequent broods and defend the family’s territory.

The Scrub Jay’s vocalizations are a symphony of chirps, squawks, and melodious calls. Their repertoire includes alarm calls to warn of predators, territorial calls to ward off intruders, and softer, more intimate calls exchanged between family members. Observing a group of Scrub Jays interact is like watching a finely tuned orchestra, each bird playing its part in a complex social structure.

Diet and Foraging: Masters of the Oak Scrub

The Florida Scrub Jay’s diet is as diverse as its habitat. These omnivorous birds feed on a variety of foods, including acorns, insects, fruits, and small vertebrates. Acorns are a particularly important food source, especially during the winter months when other food is scarce.

Scrub Jays are adept foragers, often seen hopping along the ground or flitting through the branches in search of food. They have a remarkable ability to cache acorns, storing them in the sandy soil for future use. This behavior not only ensures a steady food supply but also plays a crucial role in the regeneration of scrub oak habitats. Many of the acorns that are buried and forgotten sprout into new oak seedlings, contributing to the dynamic nature of the scrubland ecosystem.

The jays’ foraging behavior is a testament to their intelligence and adaptability. They have been observed using tools, such as twigs, to extract insects from crevices, and they exhibit problem-solving skills that rival those of some primates.

The Challenges: Conservation and Threats

Despite their resilience and adaptability, Florida Scrub Jays face numerous challenges. Habitat loss is the most significant threat to their survival. As Florida’s human population grows, scrublands are increasingly being converted into agricultural, residential, and commercial developments. This habitat fragmentation isolates populations and reduces the availability of suitable nesting sites.

Fire suppression is another critical issue. Scrublands are fire-dependent ecosystems, and periodic fires are necessary to maintain the open, sandy areas that Scrub Jays require. Without fire, scrublands become overgrown, making them less suitable for these birds. Conservation efforts are now focusing on the use of controlled burns to restore and maintain scrub habitats.

Predation and competition also pose threats to the Scrub Jay. Natural predators include snakes, hawks, and domestic cats. In some areas, invasive species such as the red imported fire ant have been known to prey on eggs and nestlings. Additionally, competition with other bird species for food and nesting sites can impact Scrub Jay populations.

Conservation Success Stories

Despite these challenges, there are success stories in the conservation of the Florida Scrub Jay. Numerous organizations, including The Nature Conservancy, Audubon Florida, and state wildlife agencies, are working tirelessly to protect and restore scrub habitats. Land acquisition, habitat restoration, and public education are key components of these efforts.

One notable success is the establishment of the Archbold Biological Station in Highlands County. This 5,200-acre research facility is dedicated to the study and conservation of Florida’s scrub ecosystem. The station’s efforts have not only contributed to our understanding of the Scrub Jay but have also helped to preserve vital habitat for many other species.

In addition to habitat protection, captive breeding and translocation programs have been implemented to bolster wild populations. These programs involve breeding Scrub Jays in captivity and releasing them into suitable habitats to establish new populations or augment existing ones.

Citizen Science and Public Involvement

The conservation of the Florida Scrub Jay is not limited to scientists and conservationists. Citizen science programs and public involvement play a crucial role in monitoring and protecting these birds. The Florida Scrub-Jay Watch Program, for example, enlists volunteers to survey and monitor Scrub Jay populations across the state. This data is invaluable for tracking population trends and identifying areas in need of conservation action.

Public education and outreach are also essential. By raising awareness about the importance of scrub habitats and the plight of the Scrub Jay, conservation organizations hope to inspire a sense of stewardship among Floridians. After all, protecting these birds and their habitats benefits not only the Scrub Jay but also the entire ecosystem and the myriad species that depend on it.

Conclusion: A Symbol of Resilience and Hope

The Florida Scrub Jay is more than just a bird; it is a symbol of resilience, adaptability, and the intricate web of life that defines Florida’s natural heritage. As we continue to face the challenges of habitat loss and climate change, the Scrub Jay reminds us of the importance of preserving our natural world.

Walking through the scrublands, with the calls of the Scrub Jay echoing in the air, one can’t help but feel a deep connection to this land and its inhabitants. These birds, with their vibrant colors and spirited behavior, embody the essence of Florida’s wild heart. By working together to protect and restore their habitats, we ensure that future generations will also have the opportunity to experience the magic of the Florida Scrub Jay.

In the end, the story of the Florida Scrub Jay is a story of hope—a testament to the power of conservation and the enduring beauty of nature. As we look to the future, let us carry the lessons of the scrublands with us, striving to be stewards of the land and guardians of the wild places that make Florida truly special.

Florida scrub jay

The Florida scrub jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens[A]) 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.[4] 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,[5] and is possibly derived from the ancestors of Woodhouse's scrub jay.[6]

Description

It measures 23 to 28 cm (9.1 to 11.0 in) in length, and weighs from 66 to 92 g (2.3 to 3.2 oz), with an average 80.2 g (2.83 oz). The wingspan of the jay is 33–36 cm (13–14 in).[7][8] It has a strong black bill, blue head and nape without a crest, a whitish forehead and supercilium, blue bib, blue wings, grayish underparts, gray back, long blue tail, black legs and feet.

Ecology

The Florida scrub jay is found only in Florida scrub habitat, an ecosystem that exists only in central Florida and in limited areas along the Atlantic coast, and is characterized by nutrient-poor soil, occasional drought, and frequent wildfires. Because of its being isolated from the mainland as an island ("Orange Island") 34 to 28 million years ago [9] and somewhat harsh weather pattern, this habitat in isolation evolved to host not only the Florida scrub jay endemic only to Florida, but also a small assortment of very ancient specific plants, including sand pine, sand live oak, myrtle oak, Chapman's oak, sandhill oak, Florida rosemary[10] and various other hardy plants such as eastern prickly pear.[11]

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.[12] 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.

The Florida scrub jay may exhibit coordinated cooperative hunting, as seen in one case where a mated pair of the birds were observed attacking a black racer together in southcentral Florida. The snake may have been too large for one jay to kill it alone, and the pair ultimately succeeded in killing the reptile. Cooperated hunting like this is rarely documented in passerines.[13]

Scrub jays may also take silverware and other shiny objects in a manner similar to the American crow.

Reproduction

Florida scrub jays are one of the few cooperative breeding birds in North America. Fledglings remain in their parents' habitat for several years and help to rear young, watch for predators (such as short-tailed hawks or Accipiter), and defend territory against neighboring Florida scrub jay family groups. These families can range in size from 2 to 8.[14]

Juvenile
Juvenile developing adult coloration

After about 2 to 3 years, fledglings leave the group to form mating pairs of their own. Mating season ranges from March to June. Clutches usually contain about 3 to 4 eggs which are incubated in about 17 days. Fledging occurs in about 16 to 19 days. Fledglings can be distinguished from the adult birds due to the coloration of the feathers on their head, which are brown instead of blue. The brown feathers on the juvenile's head are slowly replaced by blue feathers as the bird matures into adulthood.

Conservation

A Florida scrub jay explores its surroundings

Scrub habitat has dwindled considerably in the past several decades as Florida has continued to develop. Wildfire suppression also leads to the natural succession of large oaks and trees which changes the habitat. In recent years, environmental groups within the state have made a strong effort at preserving Florida's remaining scrub through controlled burns and even clearing out areas of large trees to increase the size of a scrub habitat. Because scrub habitat is typically "well-drained sites with low nutrient levels and periodic fires," the species is vulnerable to climate change.[15] Oscar Scherer State Park near Sarasota has one of the larger habitats under state management.

The Florida scrub jay was officially listed as a threatened state species by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission in 1975 and it was listed as a threatened federal species by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in 1987.

According to Partners in Flight, there were estimated to be 4000 individuals left in the wild.[16] Despite the protections, the Florida scrub jay is still thought to be on the decline. Studies done in Brevard County, once the county with the greatest population of scrub jays, has noted declines of some 33% since the 1993 census alone.

Another attempt to conserve the bird is an ongoing campaign to name the Florida scrub jay as the new state bird of Florida. The main argument for changing the state bird is that the current state bird (viz. the northern mockingbird) is the state bird of several other states, while the scrub jay is exclusive to Florida.

In recent years there has been some debate about whether or not the Florida scrub jay should be officially listed as an Endangered Species because of the loss of homes. However, environmentalists hope that current conservation efforts should help the species population to at least stabilize.

On the other hand, the IUCN classifies this species as vulnerable to extinction.[1] In 2004, the population was declining and no more than 10 subpopulations were known. Both the number of adult birds as well as amount and quality of habitat were in decline, and local subpopulations were in danger of disappearing altogether. About 8000 mature birds were believed to exist—with no more than 1000 in any one subpopulation—and population numbers had dropped by about 10% over the last decade or so.

A long-term and ongoing study of the Florida scrub jay has been taking place at the Archbold Biological Station at Lake Placid.

The Florida scrub jay was featured in episode 11, season 3 of the Showtime television series Penn & Teller: Bullshit!.

Dangers of human feeding

An inquisitive and intelligent species, the most striking attribute of the Florida scrub jay's behavior is its remarkable tameness.[17] As such, scrub jays willingly take food from human hands.

Unfortunately, this tameness is dangerous to the well-being of the species.[18] Florida scrub jays that are fed by humans will reproduce earlier in the year than those that are not. However, fledgling scrub jays feed primarily on caterpillars present in the late spring and summer; if they hatch too early in the year when the caterpillars are not available, this can lead to their malnutrition or starvation.

Another potential danger of feeding Florida scrub jays occurs when people feed them near a road, as one major cause of death for scrub jays in urban areas is collision with vehicles.[19] Since humans build subdivisions, railroads, and highways on the highest and driest ground, where Florida scrub jays like to live, this removal of habitats, along with the introduction of pets, especially cats not on a leash, has devastated scrub jay populations. In the last 100 years, 90% of the bird's population has been lost.[20]

  • Two adults at Lyonia Preserve
    Two adults at Lyonia Preserve
  • Adult
    Adult
  • Brown-colored head of a juvenile
    Brown-colored head of a juvenile
  • Juvenile beginning to develop blue coloration on its head
    Juvenile beginning to develop blue coloration on its head
  • Juvenile at Juniper Prairie in Ocala National Forest
    Juvenile at Juniper Prairie in Ocala National Forest

Footnotes

A Etymology: Aphelocoma, from Latinized Ancient Greek apheles- (from ἀφελής-) "simple" + Latin coma (from Greek kome κόμη) "hair", in reference to the lack of striped or banded feathers in this genus, compared to other jays. coerulescens, Latin for "becoming blue", in reference to the species' color which is lighter than in most American jays.

References

  1. ^ a b BirdLife International. (2016). Aphelocoma coerulescens. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22705629A94028132.en.
  2. ^ "NatureServe Explorer 2.0". explorer.natureserve.org. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  3. ^ Bartram, William (1791). Travels through North and South Carolina, Georgia, East and West Florida, the Cherokee Country, etc. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.: James & Johnson. p. 290. ISBN 0-486-20013-2.
  4. ^ Cynthia Berger (2004-08-01). "All-American Birds". Nwf.org. National Wildlife Federation. Archived from the original on 2017-10-01. Retrieved 2013-03-23.
  5. ^ Emslie, Steven D. (1996). "A fossil scrub jay supports a recent systematic decision" (PDF). The Condor. 98 (4): 675–680. doi:10.2307/1369850. JSTOR 1369850.
  6. ^ Rice, Nathan H.; Martínez-Meyer, Enrique; Peterson, A. Townsend (2003). "Ecological niche differentiation in the Aphelocoma jays: a phylogenetic perspective". Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. 80 (3): 369–383. doi:10.1046/j.1095-8312.2003.00242.x.
  7. ^ "Florida Scrub-Jay, Life History". All About Birds. Cornell University. Retrieved 2013-03-23.
  8. ^ John B. Dunning Jr., ed. (1992). CRC Handbook of Avian Body Masses. CRC Press. ISBN 978-0-8493-4258-5.
  9. ^ Albert C. Hine (2013). Geologic History of Florida: Major Events that Formed the Sunshine State. University Press of Florida. pp. 30–31. ISBN 978-0-8130-4421-7.
  10. ^ "Florida sand pine scrub". Terrestrial Ecoregions. World Wildlife Fund. Retrieved 2009-07-28.
  11. ^ "Plants of the Florida Scrub". The Florida Scrub. Floridata. Archived from the original on 2009-04-02. Retrieved 2009-07-28.
  12. ^ "Taxonomy, Species Jay, Scrub, Florida". 1996-03-14. Archived from the original on 2004-02-25.
  13. ^ Bowman, Reed (June 2003). "Apparent Cooperative Hunting in Florida Scrub-Jays". The Wilson Bulletin. 115 (2): 197–199. doi:10.1676/02-129. ISSN 0043-5643. S2CID 85703624.
  14. ^ Mumme, Ronald (1992). "An experimental analysis in the Florida scrub jay". Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology. 31: 319–328. doi:10.1007/BF00177772.
  15. ^ Defenders of Wildlife (2020). "Climate Change and Florida Scrub Jays". LandScope America. Retrieved 2020-02-25.
  16. ^ "Florida Scrub-Jay". Cornell University. Retrieved 2021-11-08.
  17. ^ Lowman, Meg (2006-06-04). "NATURE'S SECRETS". Herald Tribune. Archived from the original on 2008-05-16. Retrieved 2009-02-20. People should never feed scrub jays. It is detrimental to their health, and it is also illegal!
  18. ^ Sauter, Annette (2005). Shall We Feed Suburban Florida Scrub-Jays Aphelocoma coerulescens? (PDF) (Thesis). Archived from the original (PDF) on March 19, 2009. Retrieved 2009-02-20. Access to human provided foods causes a mismatch between brood demand and resources available for broods
  19. ^ "Florida Scrub-Jay". Audubon WatchList. Archived from the original on 2008-06-15. Retrieved 2013-03-23.
  20. ^ Boughton, Raoul K. & Bowman, Reed (9 May 2011). "State wide assessment of Florida Scrub-Jays on managed areas: A comparison of current populations to the results of the 1992-93 survey." (Report).

Further reading

  • Alsop, Fred (2002): Smithsonian Handbooks: Birds of Florida. DK Pub., New York. ISBN 0-7894-8387-4
  • Brevard County Natural Resources Management Office (2005): An Ecological Overview of Scrub Habitat and Florida Scrub-Jays in Brevard County Archived 2009-03-07 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 12, 2005.
  • Florida Natural Areas Inventory (2001): Florida Scrub-jay. In: Field Guide to the Rare Plants and Animals of Florida. PDF fulltext Archived 2006-10-14 at the Wayback Machine
  • Goodwin, Derek & Gillmor, Robert (1986): Crows of the World (2nd ed). British Museum of Natural History. ISBN 0-565-00979-6
  • Madge, Steve & Burn, Hilary (1994): Crows and jays: a guide to the crows, jays and magpies of the world. A&C Black, London. ISBN 0-7136-3999-7
  • Morse, R. (2000): Richard Archbold and the Archbold Biological Station. University Press of Florida: Gainesville. ISBN 0-8130-1761-0
  • Woolfenden, Glen E. & Fitzpatrick, John W. (1996): Florida Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens). In: Poole, A. & Gill, F. (eds.): The Birds of North America 228. The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, PA & The American Ornithologists' Union, Washington, D.C. Online version, retrieved 2006-10-11.


source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida_scrub_jay

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