Florida Scrub-Jay (Alpheocoma corulescens)

The Florida Scrub-Jay is an endangered species that is found only in Florida. Often mistaken for young Blue Jays, the Florida Scrub-Jay lacks the bold black and white markings and head crest of the Blue Jay. Its more muted blue and gray plumage blends remarkably well into the scrub oak and sand pine landscape that is the bird's primary habitat. Juveniles have a mousy brown head and neck until the end of their first summer when they molt into their adult plumage. In adulthood male and female plumage is identical; the genders can only be distinguished by behavior.

While Florida Scrub-Jays are best known for their consumption and caching of acorns they are, in fact, true omnivores. The bulk of their diet consists of insects (grasshoppers, crickets and larval butterflies and moths) and small vertebrates (frogs, toads, lizards, snakes and rodents).

The Florida Scrub-Jay like other members of the Corvidae family (Crows, Blue Jays, Ravens) is clever and inquisitive, however unlike their 'cousins' the Florida Scrub-Jay has not yet shown a great deal of adaptability with respect to its habitat requirements. Almost without exception Scrub-Jays live in white sand/oak scrub. This almost tree-less landscape requires frequent burning to maintain optimum conditions for Scrub-Jays, as well as for a number of other 'endangered' plant and animal species.

Even before the first Europeans, scrub habitat was limited. To make the best use of available resources the Florida Scrub-Jay developed a highly territorial and co-operative breeding lifestyle: territorial boundaries remain fairly stable from year to year, birds typically mate for life, and the offspring 'stay at home' as helpers until a mating opportunity opens up in a nearby territory. These strategies ensure that all suitable habitat is divided up into family-size units and that a breeding age bird is always available to fill vacancies.

Typically Florida Scrub-Jays will not travel more than about 5 miles from their birth territory. This limited dispersal was not disadvantageous until intense development destroyed and fragmented 93% of their historical scrub habitat. Today only a handful of sizable Scrub-Jay colonies are left; these are primarily in public lands. A limited number of birds have also managed to survive in small plots within built-up areas. Major Florida Scrub-Jay colonies are usually separated by distances greater than a Scrub-Jay will typically fly. it is important to protect the few remaining urban territories that may act as stepping stones between major colonies. These urban families will facilitate genetic exchange as well as providing a seed bank of birds should one or more of the major colonies be wiped out by disease or natural catastrophe.

To better understand the genetic diversity and the behavior of local Scrub-Jay populations, an intensive banding program is in place. Banded birds have a pair of colored bands on each leg. If you see a banded bird please report the colors (in the order: top then bottom band on bird's right leg; top then bottom band on bird's left leg) together with the date, time, location and any information about the birds' condition or behavior to: Audubon of Martin County (contact details below).

Audubon of Martin County has formed a Jay Watcher Program. The objectives of the organization are:

1) to locate all Martin County Florida Scrub-Jay (FSJ) families that reside outside state & national parks 

2) to protect and preserve these family territories wherever possible and encourage the creation of viable, new territories as well as the restoration of derelict sites in order to provide stepping stones between major colonies.

3) to organize and support residents wishing to protect their local FSJs

4) to ensure local government planners know the location of all FSJ territories and take appropriate action before any proposed development or activity occurs that might adversely affect these sites

5) to educate Martin County residents about the FSJ

6) to better understand the stresses that urbanization brings to our FSJ families & develop management techniques promoting their long term survival.

How you can help:

• Report any Florida Scrub-Jay sightings. Contact Pam Hopkins phone: (772) 408-6153 phopkinsfl@yahoo.com
• Join Jay Watchers- Contact Pam
• Make a contribution to our Jay Watchers' Fund- Contact Pam

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