Florida Scrub-Jay
Birds of North America
Aphelocoma coerulescens
Life, Habitat & Pictures of the Florida Scrub-Jay
| Name | B L | W W | W | Family | Latin Name |
| Florida Scrub-Jay | 11" 27.94cm | 13.5" 34.30cm | 2.8oz 79.40g | Corvidae | Aphelocoma coerulescens |
| Click on the bird name below to see the habitat and range map of the |
| Florida_Scrub-Jay |
Written by: Bruce Di Labio
French: Geai à gorge blanche
The Florida Scrub-Jay has an interesting history. This non-migratory bird is aptly named, as it is only found in isolated pockets in central Florida, particularly in regions that sustain short, scrubby oaks and sandy soil.
In the early 1990’s, the bird’s estimated population was about 4,000 pairs, a reduction of more than 90% in the 20th century, the primary cause being loss of habitat. Once considered a subspecies of the Scrub Jay, this endangered bird, now enjoys the status of a full species. The Florida Scrub-Jay is distinguished from other scrub jays by its whitish forehead and eyebrow, shorter, broader bill, longer tail and distinctive collar.
Florida Scrub Jays are monogamous breeders for life, unless one member of the pair dies and have a cooperative breeding system. Both adults build a bulky nest primarily in orange or palmetto trees. Nests are made from dead oak twigs lined with palmetto fibres and roots. A clutch generally consists of 3-4 eggs and is incubated for 16-19 days. Nesting territories are occupied by a breeding pair as well as offspring from previous years. Fledged young, assist in defending the nesting territory and help raise succeeding broods for one or more years before leaving to mate and raise young of their own. Diet consists of insects, fruits and occasionally frogs and lizards.
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Classic Collection of North American Birds
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