Its no secret to even the most casual fan of the Florida Scrub Jay that the species is in fact rare and endangered. The fact that the bird used to be literally everywhere is Central Florida and through much of South Florida astounds newer birders. The actual numbers are quite astounding. In the last 100… Continue reading Then and Now
Author: Brad
Florida Scrub Jay Territory
Most Florida Scrub-Jays never wonder too far from where they hatched. They are thought to travel no more than a mile from that spot during their entire lifetime. There are exceptions to this however. If a bird is displaced by some emergency it can find itself far outside of this one mile radius. In fact,… Continue reading Florida Scrub Jay Territory
Can You Feed Scrub Jays?
You are not supposed to feed scrub-jays for a few reasons. 1) It can cause them to reproduce early, throwing off their natural cycle. 2) People often try to feed animals foods which are actually bad for them. Scrub–jays have a very particular diet. 3) It can cause an imbalance in their diet. 4) They… Continue reading Can You Feed Scrub Jays?
2 Million Years
That is how long scrub-jays have been in Florida. The scientific community believes they made their way over here from the west coast of North America about 2 millions years ago. At that time, the Gulf of Mexico wasn’t totally filled with water yet so creatures and plants made their way across the vast stretches… Continue reading 2 Million Years
A Sad Day on Trail
I knew this day would happen eventually but how can you really be prepared for it? This past Friday while walking on trail I came around the corner and saw a spot of blue on the ground and knew instantly what it was. It was a dead Scrub Jay. Upon further examination I could tell… Continue reading A Sad Day on Trail
Scrub-Jay Fledgling
Baby scrub-jays leave the nest at about three weeks. They are still very small and fragile but they can fly. Unlike many other birds they do not fly off into the wild blue yonder away from the area where they fledged. They actually stick around. Parents and helper birds in the family unit keep them… Continue reading Scrub-Jay Fledgling
The Sentinel
The sentinel scrub-jay is tasked with the duty of keeping a lookout for predators while other birds forage for food or perform other daily tasks. There is no one bird slated for this task. They take turns doing it. It is an understood duty among the group that one bird must be on point in… Continue reading The Sentinel
Are Wild Scrub-Jays as Friendly as Tame Ones?
I am lucky to live near several locations where scrub-jays live. One of the locations is a sanctuary and all the jays there have been banded and are tracked. It is a relatively small location and they run into a lot of people on a daily basis. It is surrounded by houses which I am… Continue reading Are Wild Scrub-Jays as Friendly as Tame Ones?
Scrub-jays Were in a Frenzy Today
Today, I was at the edge of some scrub right where nature meets human habitat. The birds were eating and stashing nuts as usual but they were acting jumpy, almost frenzied. I couldn’t figure out what was up. One female sat on a fence (pictured) and went through her calls like she was rehearsing. They… Continue reading Scrub-jays Were in a Frenzy Today
No Scrub Jays on Windy Days
It only makes sense that you tend to see less scrub-jays on very windy days. They probably don’t feel like battling the elements and for the most part will stay tucked away in the scrub. The bird isn’t the lightest or the most aerodynamic of the flying animal world. Many journals describe their flight as… Continue reading No Scrub Jays on Windy Days