(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species JAY, SCRUB, FLORIDA
Species Id ESIS104013
Date 14 MAR 96
TAXONOMY
NAME - JAY, SCRUB, FLORIDA
OTHER COMMON NAMES - JAY, SCRUB, FLORIDA;JAY, FLORIDA; JAY and SCRUB
ELEMENT CODE -
CATEGORY - Birds
PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - CHORDATA,
CLASS AND SUBCLASS - AVES,
ORDER AND SUBORDER - PASSERIFORMES,
FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - CORVIDAE,
GENUS AND SUBGENUS - APHELOCOMA,
SPECIES AND SSP - COERULESCENS, COERULESCENS
SCIENTIFIC NAME - APHELOCOMA COERULESCENS COERULESCENS
AUTHORITY -
TAXONOMY REFERENCES -
COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY -
Florida Scrub Jay
Aphelocoma coerulescens coerulescens (Bosc, 1795)
KINGDOM: Animal GROUP: Bird
PHYLUM: Chordata CLASS: Aves
ORDER: Passeriformes FAMILY: Corvidae
About the size of common blue jay, but more slender in build,
tail longer; head not crested; nape, rump, and wings Yale-blue (dark
sky-blue); tail indigo blue; back light drab; underparts smoke-gray
or light drab (01).
A twelve inch (30 cm) crestless jay totally lacking the
white-tipped wing and tail feathers of the more common and widespread
blue jay. A necklace of blue feathers seperates the whiter throat
from the grayer underparts, and white line over the eye often blends
into a whitish forehead. The tail is long and lose in appearance
(02).
There is no information on the type locality or location of
specimens in museums. Photographs and/or drawings of the subspecies
which may be useful for identification purposes, are found in Sprunt
(01), Woolfenden (02), Bent (03), and Peterson (04). The subspecies
has been known by no other scientific names, and has been accepted by
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species JAY, SCRUB, FLORIDA
Species Id ESIS104013
Date 14 MAR 96
the A.O.U. in all of its editions. The vernacular name Florida jay
is often used for this bird (01,03,04) and it is included in the
Migratory Bird Treaty Act list as the species name Aphelocoma
coerulecens (scrub jay).
Taxonomy - 2 (DRAFT) - Status
Species JAY, SCRUB, FLORIDA
Species Id ESIS104013
Date 14 MAR 96
STATUS
Coded Status
Florida; Federal Threatened
Florida; Officially Listed
T: Federal Threatened
Federal Migratory
Non-consumptive recreational
Game (Consumptive Recreational)
COMMENTS ON STATUS -
U.S. STATUSES AND LAWS:
The Florida scrub jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens coerulescens) has
been designated as Threatened pursuant to the Endangered Species Act
of 1973 (50 CFR 17.11; P.L. 93-205, 87 Stat. 884; 16 U.S.C.
1531-1540), as amended. The subspecies has this status wherever found
including the State of Florida.
This subspecies is protected by the Lacey Act (P.L. 97-79,
as amended; 16 U.S.C. 3371 et seq.) which makes it unlawful to import,
export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, or purchase any wild animal
(alive or dead including parts, products, eggs, or offspring):
(1) in interstate or foreign commerce if taken, possessed,
transported or sold in violation of any State law or
regulation, or foreign law; or
(2) if taken or possessed in violation of any U.S. law,
treaty, or regulation or in violation of Indian tribal law.
It is also unlawful to possess any wild animal (alive or dead
including parts, products, eggs, and offspring) within the U.S.
territorial or special maritime jurisdiction (as defined in
18 U.S.C. 7) that is taken, possessed, transported, or sold in
violation of any State law or regulation, foreign law, or Indian
tribal law.
The subspecies is protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty
Act (16 U.S.C. 703-711 et seq.) under the species name Aphelocoma
coerulescens (scrub jay) (50 CFR 10.13).
RESPONSIBLE FEDERAL AGENCIES:
USFWS -Responsible for the management/recovery, listing, and
law enforcement/protection of this species.
DOD -Responsible for the law enforcement/protection of this
species with applicable State and Federal laws on
public land under their control. Also responsible for
management/recovery on Department of Defense lands.
USFS -Responsible for the law enforcement/protection of this
species with applicable State and Federal laws on
public lands under their control. Also responsible
for management/recovery on Forest Service lands. The
Forest Service is responsible for integrating
management, protection, and conservation of Federally
listed species into the Forest Planning process
Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species JAY, SCRUB, FLORIDA
Species Id ESIS104013
Date 14 MAR 96
(36 CFR 219.19 and 219.20).
All Federal agencies have responsibility to ensure that any
action authorized, funded, or carried out by that agency is not likely
to jeopardize the continued existence of the species or result in the
destruction or adverse modification of Critical Habitat (50 CFR 402),
and to utilize their authorities to carry out programs for the
conservation of the species.
STATE STATUSES AND LAWS:
STATE: Florida
DESIGNATED STATUS: Threatened
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: FL Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission
and the Dept. of Natural Resources
STATE STATUTE: FL Wildl. Codes, Title 39, FL Admin. Code, Sec.
39-27.03-.05, and the Florida Endangered and
Threatened Species Act of 1977, Sec. 372.072.
INTERNATIONAL STATUSES, TREATIES, AND AGREEMENTS:
None.
ECONOMIC STATUSES:
The Florida scrub jay has an economic value as a recreation
source (non-consumptive) for bird enthusiasts. In the past, there is
evidence that the Florida scrub jay has been shot by vandals. In
addition, the tameness and beauty of the bird make it desirable
(although illegal) as a pet, and it is known to have been used for
such purposes in the recent past.
85/09/18:50 FR 37958/37959 - Notice of Review
86/05/21:51 FR 18627/18630 - Proposed listing as Threatened
87/05/03:52 FR 20715/20719 - Final rule listed as Threatened
Status - 2 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS
HABITAT - TERRESTRIAL
TERRESTRIAL
SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FORESTRY TYPES
SAF TYPE STAGE CLOSURE
Longleaf Pine shrub--seedling
Longleaf Pine young tree
Shortleaf Pine-Oak shrub--seedling
Shortleaf Pine-Oak young tree
LAND USE -
Evergreen Forest Land
Mixed Forest Land
Sandy Areas other than Beaches
COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS -
Florida scrub jays have extremely specific habitat
requirements. They live only in the florida scrub habitat which
occurs on fine, white, excessively drained sands. This type of sand
occurs along the present coastline of Florida, and on inland dunes
deposited during the past when sea levels were much higher than at
present. The most important of these dune systems include the
Atlantic coastal ridge along the Atlantic coast of Florida, the
Lake Wales Ridge in Polk and Highland Counties, and the extensive
sand dunes of Ocala National Forest. The type of scrub most commonly
occupied by scrub jays is "oak scrub". Oak scrub consists of a
single layer of evergreen shrubs, usually dominated by three species
of oak - myrtle oak (Quercus myrtifolia), sand live-oak (Q. geminata),
and Chapman oak (Q. chapmanii). Scrub jays are rarely found as
residents in habitat with more than 50% canopy cover that is over
3 meters (10 feet) tall, but may have intersparsed (non-canopied)
sand pine (Pinus clausa). In summary, scrub jay habitat consists of
dense thickets of scrub oaks less than 3 meters in height,
interspersed with bare sand for foraging and storing acorns (06).
One of the unique features of the Florida scrub jay is its
extremely narrow habitat tolerances. It resides permanently only in
oak scrub consisting of shrubs of live oak (Quercus virginiana),
myrtle oak (Q. myrtifolia) and Chapman oak (Q. chapmanni), along
with saw palmetto (Senenoa ripens), sand palmetto (Sabal etonia),
and rosemary (Ceratiola ericoides). It avoids wet habitats and
forests, including canopied sand pine stands (02).
Habitat Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species JAY, SCRUB, FLORIDA
Species Id ESIS104013
Date 14 MAR 96
FOOD HABITS
TROPHIC LEVEL -
OMNIVORE
LIFESTAGE FOOD FOOD PART
General Poaceae
General
General Deciduous Shrubs-Flowers/Fruit/Seed
General Evergreen Shrubs-Flowers/Fruit/Seed
General Deciduous Trees-Flowers/Fruit/Seed
General Arthropods
General Molluscs
General Amphibia
General Reptilia
General Aves
General Mammalia
General Carrion
Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species JAY, SCRUB, FLORIDA
Species Id ESIS104013
Date 14 MAR 96
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G = General A = Adult
LIM = Limiting RA = Resting Adult
J = Juvenile FA = Feeding Adult
RJ = Resting Juvenile BA = Breeding Adult
FJ = Feeding Juvenile P = Pupae
L = Larvae E = Egg
RL = Resting Larvae
FL = Feeding Larvae
LIFESTAGE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G
Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species JAY, SCRUB, FLORIDA
Species Id ESIS104013
Date 14 MAR 96
LIFE HISTORY
FOOD HABITS:
Scrub jays are omnivores. Insects, principally orthopterans and
lepidopteran larvae, appear to form the bulk of the diet over most of
the year. These and other arthopods (including spiders, scorpions,
centipedes and millipeds) are picked from low vegetation or the
ground. Small vertebrates are eaten whenever encountered. Vertebrate
prey that are known to have been taken are: frogs and toads (Hyla
femoralis, H. squirrella, rarely Bufo quercicus), lizards (Anolis
carolinensis, Cnemidophorus sexlineatus, Sceloporous woodi, Eumeces
inexpectatus, Neoseps reynoldsi, Ophisaurus compressus, O. ventralis),
small snakes (Thamnophis sauritus, Opheodrys aestivus, Diadolphis
punctatus), small rodents (Sigmodon hispidus, Peromyscus polionotus,
Rattus rattus Young), downy chicks of the bobwhite (Colinus
virginianus), and a fledgling common yellowthroat (Geothlypis
trichas). Florida scrub jays occasionally rob other birds of their
eggs but it is a rare occurrence. They have been frequently seen
picking at roadside carrion. (07).
Acorns form the principle plant food. Jays ocassionally pluck
and eat other small nuts, fruits, and seeds when available (e.g.
hickory nuts, Carya; palmettos, Serenoa; thread-softly, Cnidosculus;
briars, Smilax; blueberries, Vaccinium; gallberry, Ilex; rosemary
seeds, Ceratiola). Weed and grass seeds are rarely, if ever, eaten.
Corn, peanuts, sunflower seeds, and many other human offered foods are
readily consumed (07).
Stomach contents of specimens taken in January, March, April,
may, and September reveal that food is: animal matter 60.63 percent,
plant matter 39.37 percent, gravel 6.38 percent, trace of feathers.
Foods include grasshoppers, locusts, crickets, termites,
burrower-bugs,squash bugs, leafhoppers, earwigs, beetles, weavils,
butterflies, moths, caterpilars, cutworms, bees, wasps, ants,
anglewings, flies, millipeds, and centipeds. Also included were
spiders, scorpions, ticks, mites, mollusks, snails, turtles, frogs,
and lizards. Vegetable matter found was wheat (Triticum), crowfoot
grass (Dactyloctenium aegyptium), acorns (Quercus), purslane
(Portulaca), huckleberry (Gaylussacia), blueberry, cranberry
(Vaccinium), and fognut (Lippia). (03).
HOME RANGE/TERRITORY:
Florida scrub jays always reside in territories with well defined
boundaries defended year around. Mean and median territory sizes
equal about 9 ha (25 acres). Territory size increases with family
size. Older male helpers cause significant extra growth in territory
size. Territories occupy essentially the same piece of ground for
many years. Ownership of territories is passed on through sequential
mate replacement or through inheritance by helpers. Territory defense
is most active immediately prior to nesting in the spring and after
molt is completed in the autumn. Territories disappear by becoming
subsumed into neighboring ones, usually after the death of one or both
breeding jays. Territories represent land banks, the defense of which
is essential to ongoing reproduction by the breeders, and to survival
and later reproduction by helpers (07).
Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species JAY, SCRUB, FLORIDA
Species Id ESIS104013
Date 14 MAR 96
PERIODICITY:
Two-thirds of a jay's typical day is spent in oak scrub. The
percentage of time spent in oaks never drops below 50 percent at any
time of year and reaches a peak of about 90 percent during late
summer. Jays avoid mature forested areas entirely (they do occupy
early successional stages of forest habitat); they also are entirely
absent from prairies and marshes (01).
MIGRATION PATTERNS:
Subspecies is non-migratory and extremely sedentary (02).
COVER/SHELTER REQUIREMENTS:
Wild olive (Osmanthus) seems to be the favorite site for it
affords the best cover in the overall sameness of the scrub. The
wild olive is a thick-branched and densely foliated plant when the
dune vegetation is in the scrub stage (01).
REPRODUCTIVE SITE REQUIREMENTS:
Site requirements are limited by the scrub vegetation in the
bird's habitat. Myrtle (Myrica cerifera), sand pine (Pinus clausa),
various oaks (Quercus), and especially wild olive (Osmanthus) are the
most used (01). Materials of nests consists of oak twigs (of varying
shapes and thickness), formed into a substantial, thick-walled
structure with the cup being lined with fine rootlets. It is similar
to the nest of the blue jay but is placed at a lower elevation, 4 to
12 feet above ground. Probably a high Florida scrub jay's nest would
be about at the elevation of a low blue jay's (03).
REPRODUCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS:
The fundamental breeding unit of the Florida scrub jay is a
permanently bonded monogamous pair, which retain ownership and sole
breeding privileges in one territory year (07). The seasonal range
of nesting is extensive, and may occur from late March to late May.
Incubation is 15 to 17 days. Eggs range from three to five in number,
and their ground color varies from pea green to pale galaucous green.
They are dull, and blotched and spotted with irregular shaped markings
of cinnamon rufous and vinaceous cinnamon. Eggs average 27.5 mm by
20.3 mm in size (01).
PARENTAL CARE:
Both parents are assiduous in all domestic duties. Both gather
nest material and work it into the nest; both incubate; both brood;
both feed and attend the young in and out of the nest. The female
probably does the greater part of the incubating, but the male
supplies her with food (01). This species is characterized by
"helpers" (refer to "OTHER LIFE HISTORY DESCRIPTORS" following in this
section). Most helpers are yearlings that remain at home and help
their parents. Helping beyond the age of 2 years is infrequent,
especially among females, but a few males may remain for up to six
years before breeding. Helpers join the breeding pair in territory
defense, including acts of displays, chases, and even fights along
territory boundaries. Helpers do not build nests but they do feed the
Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species JAY, SCRUB, FLORIDA
Species Id ESIS104013
Date 14 MAR 96
young and defend against predators (07).
POPULATION BIOLOGY:
Extremely restricted habitat preference is the primary limiting
factor (02,05,06,07). Mortality of young fledglings is high.
Survivorship increases continuously over the first 12 months of life,
after which it approximates that of adults. Fledgling survival to age
one year is 34 percent. Breeder survival is 82 percent annually.
Senescence may occur after age 16 years. The mean life expectancy
for a fledgling is about two years. Over half the offspring are
produced by females older than 5 years. Growth rate of the population
(at the Archbold Biological Station) is zero. Reproductive value
peaks at age 4 years, but remains high through age 14 years (07).
The eastern indigo snake is a known predator on the scrub jay (08).
SPECIES INTERRELATIONSHIPS:
None.
OTHER LIFE HISTORY DESCRIPTORS:
This species is known for its "helpers". Helpers are
non-breeders. They assist the breeding pair in all territorial and
breeding activities except nest construction, egg laying, and
incubation. Only about half the breeding pairs are attended by
helpers each season. Pairs may have up to six helpers, but the usual
number is one or two. Most helpers are yearlings that remain home
and help their parents. Helping beyond the age of two years is
uncommon, especially among females, but a few males may help up to six
years before becoming breeders themselves. Pairs with helpers fledge
1.5 times more young than do pairs without helpers, but helpers
increase fledgling success only early in the early spring season.
Preliminary data suggest that jay who help longer may fledge more of
their own young once they become breeders (07).
Life History - 3 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species JAY, SCRUB, FLORIDA
Species Id ESIS104013
Date 14 MAR 96
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
Beneficial Prescribed/controlled burning of habitat
Beneficial Selective Thinning
Beneficial Maintaining undisturbed/undeveloped areas
Beneficial Land Acquisition
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Agricultural Practice
Beneficial Reforestation
Beneficial Maintaining Early Stages of Succession
Beneficial Controlling/Removing Nonnative Vegetation
Beneficial Controlling/Removing Native Vegetation
Beneficial Transplanting wild animals
Adverse Harassment/Vandalism/Indiscriminate Killing
Existing Harassment/Vandalism/Indiscriminate Killing
Adverse Poaching
Existing Poaching
Adverse Collecting
Existing Collecting
Adverse Rural Residential/Industrial Areas
Existing Rural Residential/Industrial Areas
Adverse
Existing
Adverse Vegetation Composition Changes
Existing Vegetation Composition Changes
Adverse Suppressing wildfire
Existing Suppressing wildfire
Adverse Forest Alteration
Existing Forest Alteration
Adverse Harvesting
Existing Harvesting
COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES -
The future of the Florida scrub jay depends on the continued
existence of its scrub habitat. Most scrub lands are in areas that
have high real estate value. Much of the coastal scrub has been
cleared (i.e., forest clearing) for beachfront hotels, houses, and
condominiums. Scrub habitats in the interior of the Florida
peninsular are subject to development for citrus groves and housing
developments. Scrub jays have disappeared from 40% of the locations
where they formerly occurred, and the toatal population has declined
by half in the past 100 years. The major cause of the declines and
disappearances is habitat destruction (i.e. cleared lands, forest
alteration, and vegetation composition changes have resulted from
such development). Human interference with natural functioning and
development of the ecosystem. Historically, fires caused by lightning
were major factors in maintaining the sparse, low scrub vegetation
preferred by the scrub jay. In some parts of the range of this
species, human efforts to prevent and/or control natural fires have
allowed the scrub to become too dense and tall to support populations
of scrub jays. Although housing and agricultural development has been
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species JAY, SCRUB, FLORIDA
Species Id ESIS104013
Date 14 MAR 96
occurring in Florida for many years, the pace of this development has
accelerated since the 1960's. The human population of Florida nearly
doubled from 4.95 million in 1960 to 9.75 million in 1980. This
trend will continue into the foreseeable future, placing even more
pressures on natural habitats (05).
Inadequacy in the past laws (the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and
Florida State Law) did not protect the birs from habitat destruction,
the major cause of the species decline.
In the past, there is evidence that the Florida scrub jay has
been shot by vandals. In addition, the tameness and beauty of the
bird make it desirable (although illegal) as a pet, and it is known
to have been used for such purposes in the recent past.
UNAPPROVED PLAN:
A recovery plan is under development and targeted for completion by
the end of Fiscal Year 1988.
There is not currently a recovery plan for the Florida scrub
jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens coerulescens), but the following are
general areas that have to be addressed for recovery and delisting
of the subspecies:
(1) Protect existing habitat on Federal and State lands by
maintaining it in early stages of succession through selective
thinning and/or prescribed burning;
(2) Discourage conversion of existing scrub to pastureland;
(3) Obtain, through purchase or easements, private lands where scrub
jays are known to occur;
(4) Maintain and/or restore habitat;
(5) Protect the habitat from introduction of non-native plant
species (and remove them if introduced);
(6) Live trap and transplant scrub jays from healthy populations to
areas of suitable habitat that are currently unoccupied;
(7) Monitor populations; and
(8) Inform the public about the beauty and uniqueness of the species.
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Kennedy Space Center,
Cape canaveral Air Force Station, and Avon Park Air Force range are
already being managed, to varying extents, to maintain suitable scrub
habitat for the jays.
Management Practices - 2 (DRAFT) - References
Species JAY, SCRUB, FLORIDA
Species Id ESIS104013
Date 14 MAR 96
References
***** REFERENCES FOR ALL NARRATIVES EXCEPT N-OCCURRENCE *****
01 Sprunt, A., Jr. 1954. Florida bird life. Coward-McCann, Inc.
New York, and Nat. Audubon Soc. 527 pp.
02 Woolfenden, G.E. in Kale, H.W. III. 1978. Rare and endangered
biota of Florida, Vol. 2, Birds. Univ. Presses of FL, Gainesville.
121 pp.
03 Bent, A.C. 1946. Life histories of North America jays, crows and
titmice, Part 1. U.S. Nat. Mus. Bull. 191, Wash., D.C. 214 pp.
04 Peterson, R.T. 1980. A field guide to the birds. Houghton
Mifflin Co., Boston, MA 290 pp.
05 U.S. Fish and Widlife Service. 1986. Proposed rule; threatened
status for the Florida scrub jay. Fed. Reg. 51: 18627-18630.
06 Cox, J.A. 1984. Conservation and ecology of the Florida scrub
jay. Unpubl. PhD Diss. Dept. of Zool., Univ. of FL. 185 pp.
07 Woolfenden, G.E. and J.W. Fitzpatrick. 1984. The Florida scrub
jay, demography of a cooperative breeding bird. Princeton Univ.
Press, Princeton, NJ 406 pp.
08 Mumme, Robert L. 1987. Eastern indigo snake preys on juvenile
Florida scrub jay. Florida Field Nat. 15:53-54.
***** REFERENCES FOR N-OCCURRENCE NARRATIVE ONLY *****
01 Cox, J.A. 1984. Conservation and ecology of the Florida scrub
jay. Unpubl. PhD Diss. Dept. of Zool., Univ. of FL. 185 pp.
02 Sprunt, A., Jr. 1954. Florida bird life. Coward-McCann, Inc.
New York, and Nat. Audubon Soc. 527 pp.
03 Woolfenden, G.E. in Kale, H.W. III. 1978. Rare and endangered
biota of Florida, Vol. 2, Birds. Univ. Presses of FL, Gainesville.
121 pp.
References - 1