Don’t Feed The Florida Scrub Jay
A docile bird with a friendly disposition.
The Florida scrub jay differs from its cousin, the more common bluejay, in two important areas. Firstly, as the name implies, it is a species found only in the Sunshine State. Secondly, it does not have a crest making it somewhat less flashy than the raucous bluejay. A third trait that may set it apart is its willingness to take peanuts and other morsels from the human hand. This is not a good thing, however, particularly alongside roadways. While one specie of hawk use jays as a food staple a main mortality cause for the scrub jay in urban areas is collision with vehicles. As a result, state law prohibits the feeding of the Florida scrub jay.
image via widipedia
This bird only nests in the scrub habitat, an ecosystem only found in central Florida near coastal areas. These areas are dwindling due to continued development and the natural growth of trees beyond scrub height. A state park near Sarasota is being managed to retain scrub identification.
The scrub jay is omnivorous, eating acorns, nuts, seeds, frogs, insects, small turtles, snakes and lizards. Occasionally they will rob other nests of eggs and nestlings. Each bird will bury thousands of acorns each fall, many of which will germinate adding new trees to the scrub. They are notorious thieves of shiny objects including picnicker’s silverware.
image via wikipedia
Florida scrub jays stay in their parents’ habitat for several years helping to rear new fledglings as they arrive with up to eight family members. After three years, fledglings leave to find mates of their own. Clutches have three or four eggs that hatch in 18 days. Juvenile birds have brown heads.
It has been 16 years since an official census has been taken. At that time it was estimated there were 4,000 breeding pairs of the Florida scrub jay remaining in the wild. Since then, a study done on the east coast suggests there has been a 33 percent decline in their numbers. Both Florida and the U.S. government have listed the bird as a threatened species.
An attempt failed to have the scrub jay designated as the official state bird to replace the mockingbird since three other states also claim the mocking bird as their symbol. In the next legislative session an attempt will be made to have the osprey replace the mockingbird. That effort will likely fail, as well.
Liked it
25 Responses to “Don’t Feed The Florida Scrub Jay”
On September 13, 2009 at 6:27 pm
Good article and I didn’t know this. They hang around my bird feeder all the time. Hope I don’t do jail time.
On September 13, 2009 at 6:55 pm
Well researched and written article Ken. I’m surprsied one of those birds can eat a FROG!
On September 13, 2009 at 7:37 pm
The scrub jay is a beautiful bird. Incredible it can make peanuts and morsels from the human hand. how cool is that? great article.
On September 13, 2009 at 7:50 pm
Wow that is a very beautiful bird. Nice work
On September 13, 2009 at 8:13 pm
You have many interesting tidbits, but it’s not clear why you should not feed the bird. How does that cause collision with the vehicles?
On September 13, 2009 at 9:36 pm
Ken
Are you in competition with yourself…smiles!
Another outstanding Article!!!
Zappy
On September 13, 2009 at 10:35 pm
Oh, I hope these birds won’t disappear. We have so many endangered species.
On September 13, 2009 at 10:50 pm
TX friend for an interesting write and done well too.
On September 14, 2009 at 2:12 am
An interesting piece. It would be a shame for such a lovely bird to die out. Thanks for the information.
Christine
On September 14, 2009 at 4:24 am
Good thing there not around these parts!
On September 14, 2009 at 6:48 am
Very interesting article.
On September 14, 2009 at 9:18 am
Once again well-meaning humans cause more harm than intended. Such a shame…charming creatures they are. And Florida should have made the scrub jay the official state bird…4 mockingbirds is redundant.
On September 14, 2009 at 10:31 am
A very graceful creature. Great article!
On September 14, 2009 at 12:55 pm
We are going to have to kill the mockingbird! I enjoyed the article, I always learn something new and interesting with your articles.
On September 14, 2009 at 2:18 pm
I really enjoyed your article – it’s really informative and the bird is absolutely gorgeous!
On September 14, 2009 at 2:58 pm
Wow. I’d love to come to Florida and see one. They are beautiful. I hope they can preserve enough land to keep them around. Great article
On September 14, 2009 at 5:17 pm
They MUST survive! Such a pretty bird deserves our respect.
On September 14, 2009 at 6:21 pm
Excellent journalistic write Ken as usual, very informative and interesting! It looks similar to our blue jay.
On September 14, 2009 at 10:40 pm
very infprmative artical. i live in florida and knew nothing of this bird. thank you
On September 14, 2009 at 11:09 pm
I loved learning about this bird. Thanks for sharing. I hope mankind does not do another species in!
On September 15, 2009 at 12:09 am
Maybe we should genetically engineer the bird to eat humans…;)
On September 15, 2009 at 11:22 am
I’m fond of painting birds.Loved the article.
On September 18, 2009 at 10:41 am
lovely little bird, I hope all take heed x
On September 21, 2009 at 3:13 am
Nice article Ken. I enjoyed reading about the Scrub Jay. I did not know such a bird existed. Yes, it is very much like the Michigan blue jay. a lovely bird. I am a bird lover so I hope the bird survives. It would be a shame to lose such a beautiful creature.
On September 24, 2009 at 7:50 pm
Too bad birds too has to be caught in politics of who gets who. The mockingbird will be likely killed because it is written in the book.
Post Comment