The Florida Scrub-Jay is the only bird species found exclusively in Florida. This unique blue and gray colored bird lives in scrub oak habitats that are characterized by sandy soils and scattered scrubby oaks. The Scrub-Jay is a threatened species in Florida due to habitat loss from development and fragmentation. Knowing where to find Florida Scrub-Jays is key for birders hoping to spot this endemic species.
Where are Florida Scrub-Jays Found?
Florida Scrub-Jays are found exclusively in peninsular Florida. Their current range extends from southern Volusia County down through the Atlantic coastal ridge to Indian River County. On the Gulf coast, they are found from southern Levy County down to Charlotte County. The central Florida ridge also harbors populations from Lake and Orange counties down through Highlands County.
Scrub-Jays inhabit scrub habitats which are characterized by low growing oaks, typically 1-3 meters tall. This includes sand pine scrub, rosemary scrub, and scrubby flatwoods. They are also found in scrubby areas along railroad and utility rights-of-way.
Ideal scrub habitat has a mix of bare sandy areas and dense clumps of shrubs and trees. The open sandy patches provide places to stash acorns, while the dense scrub offers protection. Scrub-Jays prefer habitats with older oaks that provide more acorn production.
Where are the Best Places to See Florida Scrub-Jays?
Here are some of the top locations in Florida to spot the endemic Scrub-Jay:
Ocala National Forest
The Ocala National Forest northwest of Orlando harbors one of the largest populations of Florida Scrub-Jays. The Forest contains the largest contiguous area of xeric oak scrub habitat. Jays can be found along the hopping roads of the Seminole Ranger District. The Forest borders the southern shoreline of Lake George.
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
This refuge located along the Atlantic coast of central Florida contains one of the densest populations of Scrub-Jays. It harbors scrub habitat along the coastal dunes and interior marshes. The best spot to see jays is along Black Point Wildlife Drive.
Archbold Biological Station
This research station located south of Lake Placid contains prime scrub habitat with public access. Scrub-Jays can be seen along the Lake Wales Ridge where they inhabit regrowth scrub.
Oscar Scherer State Park
This state park located south of Sarasota has an accessible population of Scrub-Jays that can be readily viewed along the trails. The birds inhabit the scrubby flatwoods and are acclimated to humans.
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
The dunes and marshes of this refuge along Florida’s Atlantic coast contain ideal scrub-jay habitat. Jays can readily be seen along the Black Point Wildlife Drive. This location harbors one of the densest concentrations of Scrub-Jays in Florida.
Viera Wetlands
This small 25 acre wetland tract is located along the central Atlantic coast near Melbourne and Palm Bay. A small population of scrub-jays inhabit the oak thickets and dunes on site. It provides excellent viewing opportunities.
Highlands Hammock State Park
Highlands Hammock State Park located between Sebring and Lake Placid contains accessible scrub habitat with Florida Scrub-Jays. The birds can be spotted along the park’s hiking trails meandering through scenic hammocks.
Circle B Bar Reserve
This Polk County reserve contains a mosaic of marsh, prairie, and oak scrub habitats. Scrub-Jays inhabit the scrubby flatwoods and can be seen along the trails and roadsides.
Sebastian Inlet State Park
This state park located on the central Atlantic coast contains a population of Scrub-Jays inhabiting the coastal scrub and oak hammocks. Jays can be spotted along the trails and campground edges.
Bok Tower Gardens
This botanical garden and bird sanctuary located along the Lake Wales Ridge allows visitors to readily view Florida Scrub-Jays inhabiting the local scrub habitat.
What is the best time of year to see Florida Scrub-Jays?
The best time to spot Florida Scrub-Jays is during their breeding season which extends from March through June. This is when the birds are most active and vocal as they establish territories and build nests. The males make themselves conspicuous as they sing and guard their territories.
Fall and winter are also decent times to spot jays as family groups remain cohesive and range about their territories foraging for acorns. Numbers appear lower during this period though as the jays are not calling and displaying.
Scrub-Jays are full time residents so they can be observed throughout the year. However sightings are less frequent during the hot summer months when the birds are avoiding the midday heat.
What does the Florida Scrub-Jay Look Like?
The Florida Scrub-Jay is a medium sized songbird about 11 inches in length. They have blue upperparts, pale gray underparts, and a blue nape that connects to the blue crown. Their throat is finely streaked and they have a white supercilium above the eye. The males and females look identical.
Juvenile birds have a drabber appearance with browner back feathers and a less distinct supercilium. After one year molt they obtain adult plumage.
Florida Scrub-Jays move about scrub habitat either singularly, in pairs, or in family groups. They stay low in the oaks and palmettos, climbing along branches with their sturdy legs and feet. When still, they optimally perch in a concealed spot.
What do Florida Scrub-Jays Eat?
The Scrub-Jay is an omnivorous generalist, consuming a wide variety of plant and animal material. Acorns comprised over 50% of their annual diet. They also eat a variety of seeds, fruits, berries, flowers, fungi, snails, insects, spiders, frogs, lizards, snakes, birds eggs, and nestlings.
Scrub-Jays obtain much of their water from juicy fruits and prey items. But during drier conditions they will visit open water sources.
Acorns are cached in the ground for retrieval and consumption during winter and spring when other foods are scarce. Each jay caches between 6,000-8,000 acorns per year in scattered hoards. Remarkably, they are able to relocate these hidden acorns with about 90% accuracy.
Florida Scrub-Jay Reproduction and Nesting
Florida Scrub-Jays form long term pair bonds that persist from year to year. They breed cooperatively with the previous year’s offspring staying with the family to help raise the current year’s young. Up to 6 birds may assist a single pair during breeding season.
Nesting occurs from March to June.Both sexes help build a shallow nest of twigs lined with palmetto fibers. It is located 1-10 feet above ground concealed in a shrub or oak tree. A typical clutch contains 3 or 4 eggs incubated by the female for 17-18 days. The eggs hatch asynchronously over 2-4 days.
The young fledge from the nest at 18-19 days old but remain dependent on the adults for another 6-8 weeks. Cooperative rearing greatly enhances the survival rate of fledglings. Predators include snakes, foxes, bobcats, and birds of prey.
Juveniles reach sexual maturity by age 2 but often delay breeding until age 3 or older. The oldest known Scrub-Jay in the wild was 17 years old.
Why are Florida Scrub-Jays Threatened?
Habitat loss and fragmentation have caused major declines in Florida Scrub-Jay populations. Ninety percent of the oak scrub habitat has been lost over the past century. Much of Florida’s interior scrub was converted to citrus groves and residential areas. Remaining habitat has become fragmented into patches too small to support jays.
Fire suppression has also degraded habitat. Scrub ecosystems need occasional fires to maintain open conditions and stimulate oak growth. In the absence of fire, scrub becomes overgrown. Ultimately the oaks can be shaded out and replaced with dense stands of palmetto.
The Florida Scrub-Jay was federally listed as Threatened in 1987. This status helps protect remaining populations on public lands. However habitat loss and degradation on private lands has continued.
Their total population is estimated between 7,000-11,000 family groups. Ongoing conservation and habitat management efforts focused on preserving and restoring scrub habitat will be critical for the Scrub-Jay’s long term survival.
Tips for Viewing Florida Scrub-Jays
Here are some useful tips for locating and observing the endemic Scrub-Jay:
– Walk slowly along roads or trails adjacent to scrub habitat. Stop frequently to watch and listen.
– Visit during breeding season from March-June when the jays are most active and vocal.
– Scan the tops of shrubs and oaks for jays perching 6-12 feet up. Look for a flash of blue through the foliage.
– Listen for their harsh “shreeea” call which carries far. Also listen for scolds and rattles.
– Use scrub patches as habitat islands to concentrate your search efforts.
– Once found, pause and watch to allow them to resume normal behaviors. Be quiet and patient.
– Observe their interactions as they forage, cache acorns, groom, and go about daily activities.
– Avoid prolonged direct eye contact which can evoke aggression, particularly during breeding season.
– Limit your time with any one group to allow other visitors a chance to see the jays.
– Do not feed the jays or leave food scraps behind. Let them forage naturally for sustenance.
With persistence and knowledge of Scrub-Jay habits, observers can be rewarded with excellent looks at this threatened Florida specialty bird. Scrub habitat conservation will ensure future generations can still see this beautiful jay in its native oak scrub ecosystems.
Conclusion
The Florida Scrub-Jay is an endemic bird adapted to the challenging oak scrub ecosystems of peninsular Florida. These intelligent and cooperative birds thrive in habitats with a mosaic of bare sand, short woody shrubs, and taller oak thickets. About 7,000-11,000 family groups remain, mostly on conserved public lands. Scrub habitat loss has led to their threatened status. Knowing where to find Scrub-Jays is key for birders seeking to see this species. Some of the best locations include Ocala National Forest, Merritt Island NWR, Archbold Biological Station, and Oscar Scherer State Park. The optimal viewing season is March-June during the breeding period when the jays are most active and vocal. Their loud calls carry far, allowing observers to pinpoint jay locations. Some useful tips include walking slowly, scanning oaks carefully, listening for calls, and watching discreetly. Habitat conservation and management focused on preserving Florida’s scrub will help ensure the continued survival of this endemic jay. With attention to their habitat needs and natural history, Florida Scrub-Jays will brighten oak scrub with their beauty for generations to come.