Scrub-Jay
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Common Names: Western scrub jay and Florida scrub jay
Scientific Name: Aphelocoma californica and Aphelocoma coerulescens.
Distinctive Markings:
Bright blue with a white belly and a gray patch on their backs. Male
and female look alike. Florida species has whiter forehead.
Distinctive Behavior: Hops on the ground foraging for food. Eagerly accepts handouts.
Song:
The western species has hoarse rising call of "shreeeenk" or a rapid
series "quay-quay-quay" or "cheek-cheek-cheek",. The call of Florida
birds is similar, but lower and harsher.
Key Facts: Sizes, Breeding, Lifestyle, and
Related Species:
Sizes:
Length: 11 in.
Wingspan: 13 -1/2 to 15 1/2 in"
Breeding:
Mating Season:
Number of Chicks: 4 to 6 pale green eggs with brown freckles.
Living with parents:
Nesting: The female builds
a bulky nest of twigs in a low tree or shrub, then lays a four to six
pale green eggs with brown freckles. Researchers found an extended
family helps raise the young of the Florida species.
Lifestyle:
Habitat: The dense shrubbery among oaks, pines, junipers, wooded parks and backyards.
Diet: Nuts, fruits, insects, frogs, acorns, lizards and some small animals.
Feeder Favorites: Peanuts, suet, sunflower seeds and chicken scratch.
Food for feathers:
Sociable
behavior is a common trait in all three closely related but separate
scrub jay species. The most widespread are the western scrub jay and
the Florida scrub jay. A third species, the island scrub jay, lives
only on Santa Cruz Island off the southern California coast. The three
birds are so similar they were once considered a single species. Only
recently did ornithologists divide them, in part because the birds
inhabit such distinctly different regions. There are slight variations
in the birds marking, the Florida scrub jay has a whiter forehead, for
instance. But overall, they share the same sleek good looks,
characteristics by brilliant blue plumage. The clear blue
feathers mark their had, neck, wings and tail, accented by a gray patch
on their backs. You can distinguish them from other blue birds because
of their large size, long tail, white belly and the lack of a head
crest.
Scrub jays are often daring and friendly, but their choice of
habitat gives away an inner shy streak. They often disappear in the
dense brush among oaks, juniors and pines as well as wooded parks and
backyards. The omnivores spend much of their time hopping
along the ground in search of fallen acorns, insects, mice, small
lizards and frogs. And, tot he dismay off many birders, scrub jays
sometimes raid other birds nests.
The western species raise young in pairs, but researchers found Florida
birds use extended family for support. Several "helper" birds pitch in
to care for the you'd birds and defend territory. The helpers usually
are offspring from previous broods. After nesting season, scrub
jays gather into small flocks as winter approaches. They'll remain in
the same area year round, but if acorns are scarce, they may migrate to
new regions in search of sustenance.
Did You Know:
The range of the western scrub jay is spread over a large area. But
the Florida species is limited to brushy wooded habitat in central
Florida.
The Scrub jay's chisel like bill allows it to open nuts easily, ( see
pic pages for scrub jays antics). but accepts shelled handouts, too.
The birds can be bold when foraging for food, dunking into a jar of
peanut butter or using its loud call to clear a spot ar a bird feeder.
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