Aphelocoma coerulescens Photo Claire Sunquist ©
Threatened
The Florida scrub jay is found only in a few patches of oak-scrub habitat in central and coastal parts of the state. Fewer than 10,000 of these threatened birds remain.
Paradoxically, scrub jays are easy to see. They become quite tame and will come to peanuts held in one’s hand. The three largest populations of scrub jays occur in Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Ocala National Forest and the area of the Lake Wales scrub.
Florida scrub jays are cooperative breeders. Most offspring stay on to help defend the family territory and raise the next brood of young.
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