The Florida scrub jay is a unique and threatened bird species found exclusively in Florida. As their name suggests, they inhabit scrubland habitats which are characterized by low-growing oaks, scattered pine trees, and sandy soil. Florida scrub jays are highly territorial and live their entire lives in family groups within the territory they maintain. Due to habitat loss, they are restricted to scattered pockets of remaining scrub habitat primarily in central Florida.
What is the Florida scrub jay?
The Florida scrub jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens) is a blue and gray colored jay reaching lengths of 11-12 inches. They have a white underside, blue head, neck, wings, and tail, and gray back. Florida scrub jays are very social birds that live in family groups made up of the breeding pair and offspring that remain with their parents to help raise new young. Family groups maintain territories of scrub habitat that they defend against neighboring jays. They are omnivores that eat acorns, insects, reptiles, amphibians, and small mammals.
Florida scrub jays are found nowhere else in the world beyond Florida. They are the only bird species found exclusively in Florida. Over the last century, habitat loss has caused Florida scrub jay numbers to decline dramatically. Due to these declines, they are listed as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act and considered one of the most imperiled bird species in the country.
Where are Florida scrub jays found?
Florida scrub jays are found exclusively in scrub habitat in Florida. Scrub habitat is characterized by low-growing oaks, scattered pine trees, and sandy soil. It is found in areas with well-drained, sandy soils that historically experienced occasional wildfires. These habitats occur in central Florida south of the Ocala National Forest and also along the central Atlantic coastline.
The core of their remaining range centers around Ocala National Forest, Lake Wales Ridge, and surrounding areas of central Florida. Smaller populations occur along the Atlantic coast south of Daytona Beach as well as in Brevard county and southeastern Florida. Isolated populations also exist in southwest Florida in Charlotte, Lee, and Collier counties. Overall, Florida scrub jays occupy around 4,000 square miles of remaining scrub habitat scattered across 22 Florida counties.
Major locations
Some of the major locations and land areas where Florida scrub jays can be found include:
- Ocala National Forest – Largest protected area of scrub, hundreds of family groups
- Lake Wales Ridge – National Wildlife Refuge protects scrub
- Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge – Over 1,000 family groups on NASA land
- Archbold Biological Station – Research station with protected scrub
- Space Coast – Significant populations in scrub south of Cape Canaveral
- Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge – Small population present
- Myakka River State Park – Sparse scrub oaks support jays
In total, Florida scrub jays occupy around 25 state parks, wildlife refuges, conservation areas, military installations, and other lands set aside for conservation. These protected lands harbor the majority of the remaining populations.
Where can I see Florida scrub jays?
The best places to see Florida scrub jays are at state and federal lands set aside for their protection. These include national wildlife refuges, national forests, state parks, conservation areas, and military installations. The top locations to spot Florida scrub jays include:
Ocala National Forest
Ocala National Forest protects the largest expanse of scrub habitat in Florida and supports hundreds of family groups of scrub jays. The Forest contains over 80 miles of trails allowing excellent access to scrub habitat. The Hopkins Prairie, Lake Delancy, and Juniper Prairie Wilderness Areas are excellent places to search for jays.
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
Merritt Island NWR contains significant scrub habitat protected within NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. It harbors over 1,000 family groups of jays. The Scrub Ridge Trail and Cruickshank Trail provide hiking access through jay territories.
Archbold Biological Station
This research station protects important scrub habitat with public access. Their well-marked trail system allows visitors to walk through scrub and spot jays. Over 100 family groups live on the station.
Oscar Scherer State Park
Oscar Scherer SP contains protected scrub habitat along the shores of shallow Lake Osprey. The Scherer Scrub Nature Trail provides views of jays and other scrub species.
Florida Scrub-Jay Trail
A driving trail connects important scrub preserves across central Florida. Stops include Oscar Scherer SP, Lake Wales Ridge NWR, Archbold Biological Station, and Jonathan Dickinson SP.
What is the best time of year to see Florida scrub jays?
Florida scrub jays can be seen year-round as they maintain permanent residency and do not migrate. However, viewing success varies based on season:
- Breeding season – Late February to early July is the breeding season. Jays are most active defending territories and feeding nestlings.
- Non-breeding season – During August to November jays are more quiet but groups can still be located.
- Winter – December to February is the toughest time to find jays as they are not territorial.
The best viewing occurs during the height of the breeding season from March to June. Jays are most visible as they sing, call, and forage to feed their nestlings. Later in the breeding season the fledglings also become active and visible.
What is the habitat of the Florida scrub jay?
Florida scrub jays inhabit a very specialized habitat known as scrub. Scrub consists of low-growing oaks, scattered pine trees, and sandy soil with minimal undergrowth. It occurs in areas historically prone to occasional wildfires, which prevent the vegetation from growing tall and thick.
The defining plants in classic scrub are scrub oaks and sand pine. Scrub oaks such as Chapman’s oak, myrtle oak, and sand live oak grow from 3 to 10 feet tall. Scattered sand pines reach heights of around 20-40 feet. Scrub also includes many ornamental plants such as scrub palmetto and saw palmetto.
Scrub is maintained by fire, which prevents plants from outcompeting the low oaks. Without periodic fires, scrub becomes overgrown and unsuitable for jays. Florida scrub jays are now found mostly in well-managed scrub that mimics the natural fire regime.
Characteristics
Key characteristics of Florida scrub jay habitat include:
- Low oaks 3 to 10 feet tall
- Open sandy areas with scattered trees and shrubs
- Sandy, well-drained soils
- Sparse groundcover and understory
- Scattered 10 to 40 ft tall pine trees
- Maintained by occasional fires
Why is scrub habitat threatened?
It is estimated that scrub habitat historically covered around 5 million acres of Florida. Due to habitat destruction, only around 10% of original scrub habitat remains. Scrub has declined due to multiple threats:
Fire suppression
Fires are needed to maintain scrub, but decades of fire suppression have caused scrub to become overgrown and unsuitable habitat in many areas.
Development
The sandy soils that support scrub are also prime areas for citrus groves, ranches, and urban development. Vast areas of former scrub have been lost.
Habitat fragmentation
Remaining scrub is fragmented into smaller parcels isolated from other scrub areas. This makes jays vulnerable to extinction and reduces gene flow.
Invasive plants
Invasive plants such as Brazilian pepper are able to take over scrub in the absence of fire.
How can scrub habitat be conserved?
To protect remaining Florida scrub jays, ongoing conservation practices are needed such as:
- Prescribed burning – Mimic historical fires
- Protect land – Protect remaining scrub from development
- Habitat corridors – Connect isolated scrub fragments
- Remove invasives – Eliminate exotic plants
- Population monitoring – Track populations to guide management
Large protected areas of scrub can maintain natural ecological processes and support healthy jay populations. On private lands, scrub can be restored and managed through programs such as Safe Harbor Agreements.
How many Florida scrub jays remain?
Year | Estimated Population |
---|---|
1940 | 192,000 |
1987 | 10,000 |
1992 | 8,500 |
1996 | 7,000 |
2002 | 4,000 |
2011 | 3,300 |
2017 | 4,000 – 7,000 |
Florida scrub jay numbers have declined by over 90% since the early 1900s. Habitat loss resulted in catastrophic declines especially between the 1950s and 1990s. Ongoing conservation efforts have stabilized populations at around 4,000 to 7,000 birds since the 2000s.
Conclusion
The Florida scrub jay is a threatened species declining due to drastic loss of scrub habitat. The best places to observe Florida scrub jays are protected lands in central Florida such as Ocala National Forest, Merritt Island NWR, and Archbold Biological Station. Prescribed burning and land conservation are critical to maintain remaining scrub habitat. Scrub and scrub jays represent an iconic endemic Florida ecosystem that requires ongoing conservation efforts.