If you have found this blog you are welcome to use the information anyway you see fit. This is simply a collection of my writings about the endangered Scrub Jay bird which is endemic to the state of Florida. I wanted to document all behaviors and observations, many of which I have not seen documented… Continue reading Welcome
Beloved Florida Icon
A message from Archbold Biological Station: The charismatic Florida Scrub-Jay, with its showy movements, brilliant flashy blue color, and distinctive call, is the only species of bird found exclusively in Florida. This fascinating bird is a beloved state icon. Yet, with fewer than 5,000 individuals remaining, this federally threatened species needs your help! Your generous support helps Archbold… Continue reading Beloved Florida Icon
Jay Watch Program
If you live in Florida and are interested in donating your time to help count our favorite little blue bird, there is a group of people you can join. The Florida Scrub Jay is down to only 3 or 4 thousand birds in total number and it is imperative that we keep an eye on… Continue reading Jay Watch Program
Which Animals Will Cause a Scrub Jay to Alert?
picture courtesy of steph_takes_photos on IG Having sat down in the middle of wooded trail areas of Florida and having truly studied this creature, I have compiled many notes. This post is a brief explanation of what will cause a FL Scrub Jay to make an alarm call. Any type of predator bird larger than… Continue reading Which Animals Will Cause a Scrub Jay to Alert?
New Batch of Chicks
Pretty exciting news. I discovered a scrub-jay nest and when one of the parents landed near it I could hear the little chicks making chirping noises. They were very low volume which is good in that it does not draw a lot of attention from predators. The bush they picked was perfect. I don’t know… Continue reading New Batch of Chicks
That Time of Year for The Scrub Jay
I see these birds almost every day of the week so I can tell when their behavior changes. Today was that day for the Jays. I encountered a Jay out of his usual territory. Not only was he out his usual area, he was much more aggressive chasing away other birds, including Blue Jays and… Continue reading That Time of Year for The Scrub Jay
A Territorial Battle Today
I went for my walk through the woods today to get exercise and to visit my little blue bird friends. The area I walk used to have three separate scrub-jay groups but now it has just two. Two family groups combined into one and may have lost a member or two. Today I witnessed something… Continue reading A Territorial Battle Today
Donate the Help Our Little Blue Friends
I’ve often said to people close to me that the Florida Scrub Jay is a gauge of sorts when it comes to the human race. I believe if we cannot save this species of bird then perhaps we don’t deserve to live on this planet. It is my belief that we have had plenty of… Continue reading Donate the Help Our Little Blue Friends
Florida Scrub Jay Audible Sounds
I have found in my time being with the Florida Scrub Jay that it has three levels of sound. By that I mean it has three volumes of sound. Those sound levels consist of: Super soft little chirps – They make these tiny sounds when they are in close proximity to one another. It is… Continue reading Florida Scrub Jay Audible Sounds
Why Are FL Scrub Jays So Tame Around Humans?
First, it should be noted that all FL Scrub-Jays are not so tame. The further you get away from human population centers the less tame they are. I have been way back in the brush where the scrub jay is very cautious and absolutely will not come close to you. They more-or-less ignore you. For… Continue reading Why Are FL Scrub Jays So Tame Around Humans?
Scrub-Jays in a Panic
Sometimes you enter into the scrub-jay territory and you can instantly hear that something is going on. You hear a few alarm calls off in the distance. Then you hear the territorial “pish pish” alarm type call they make. Something has got them spooked. In fact, the way I found out that there were bobcats… Continue reading Scrub-Jays in a Panic