Click on any image to open the slideshow
Aphelocoma coerulescens Bosc, 1795
Florida Scrub-jay
Scrub Jay
Florida native
Endemic to Florida
Threatened Florida species
U.S. Threatened species
The Florida scrub-jay is the only species of bird restricted entirely to Florida. It is dependent on scrub habitat with particular characteristics dependent on periodic wildfires. Optimal habitat consists of palmetto scrub with scattered oaks from one to three meters high and some unvegetative, sandy openings. They can also live in scrubby flatwoods if the pine canopy is open. Aphelocoma coerulescens is considered imperiled due to wildfire supression allowing excessive plant growth in what was naturally scrub and loss of habitat from development.
These are large songbirds, with a blue head, wings and tail, a white throat and a blue 'necklace'. The back and belly are pale gray. Juveniles have a dull brown head and brown back, otherwise like adults.
Aphelocoma coerulescens is a member of the Corvidae - Jays, Crows & their allies family.
iNaturalist profile for this species
For more information on this species, visit the following link:
Saving the Florida Scrub Jay at Cornel Lab of Ornithology website
Date record last modified: Oct 22, 2023
