Florida Scrub Jays at Ocala National Forest
Mar 20, 2017 10:46:49 #
Yesterday was my first time at this location and my first time seeing the Florida Scrub Jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens). Below from Wikipedia:
Ecology
The Florida scrub jay is found only in Florida scrub habitat, an ecosystem that exists only in central Florida and is characterized by nutrient-poor soil, occasional drought, and frequent wildfires. Because of its somewhat harsh weather pattern, this habitat is host to a small assortment of very specific plants, including sand pine, sand live oak, myrtle oak, Chapman's oak, sandhill oak, Florida rosemary and various other hardy plants such as Eastern prickly pear.
Florida scrub jays are omnivorous and eat a wide variety of acorns, seeds, peanuts, insects, tree frogs, turtles, snakes, lizards, and young mice. Florida scrub jays have also been occasionally observed to eat other birds' eggs or nestlings, but this occurs rarely. They routinely cache thousands of acorns a year, burying them just beneath the surface. The acorns are typically buried in the fall and consumed during the winter and spring. Acorns that are forgotten or missed may germinate, making the Florida scrub jay an effective agent for the dispersal of a variety of oak trees.
Scrub jays may also take silverware and other shiny objects in a manner similar to the American crow.
In appearance, they differ from the Western Scrub Jay (Aphelocoma californica) by having blue cheeks rather than grey and a whitish forehead.
This outing was with the local Audubon group. We had expected to also see Red-cockaded Woodpeckers as they had been seen there three days earlier. Unfortunately, we saw none but we did see more of the jays than we had expected.
Many Floridians, myself included, feel that this bird which is endemic to Florida, should replace the mockingbird as the State Bird.
Ecology
The Florida scrub jay is found only in Florida scrub habitat, an ecosystem that exists only in central Florida and is characterized by nutrient-poor soil, occasional drought, and frequent wildfires. Because of its somewhat harsh weather pattern, this habitat is host to a small assortment of very specific plants, including sand pine, sand live oak, myrtle oak, Chapman's oak, sandhill oak, Florida rosemary and various other hardy plants such as Eastern prickly pear.
Florida scrub jays are omnivorous and eat a wide variety of acorns, seeds, peanuts, insects, tree frogs, turtles, snakes, lizards, and young mice. Florida scrub jays have also been occasionally observed to eat other birds' eggs or nestlings, but this occurs rarely. They routinely cache thousands of acorns a year, burying them just beneath the surface. The acorns are typically buried in the fall and consumed during the winter and spring. Acorns that are forgotten or missed may germinate, making the Florida scrub jay an effective agent for the dispersal of a variety of oak trees.
Scrub jays may also take silverware and other shiny objects in a manner similar to the American crow.
In appearance, they differ from the Western Scrub Jay (Aphelocoma californica) by having blue cheeks rather than grey and a whitish forehead.
This outing was with the local Audubon group. We had expected to also see Red-cockaded Woodpeckers as they had been seen there three days earlier. Unfortunately, we saw none but we did see more of the jays than we had expected.
Many Floridians, myself included, feel that this bird which is endemic to Florida, should replace the mockingbird as the State Bird.
Mar 20, 2017 10:50:38 #
Mar 20, 2017 10:51:07 #
Mar 20, 2017 11:02:11 #
Mar 20, 2017 11:05:02 #
ballsafire
Loc: Lafayette, Louisiana
Yes, this is the first time I have seen this kind of blue jay. Your information was very informative and your photos, especially, were great! Thanks.
Mar 20, 2017 11:33:13 #
Mar 20, 2017 11:34:11 #
Mar 20, 2017 11:35:14 #
angela k wrote:
Nice set, Larry!! Beautiful birds and captures!
Thank you very much Angela for looking in and your most kind comments!
Mar 20, 2017 11:39:21 #
ballsafire wrote:
Yes, this is the first time I have seen this kind of blue jay. Your information was very informative and your photos, especially, were great! Thanks.
Thank you very much ballsafire (I'd like to hear the story behind that pseudonym!). I appreciate your looking in and commenting.
Mar 20, 2017 11:51:46 #
ballsafire
Loc: Lafayette, Louisiana
Madman wrote:
Thank you very much ballsafire (I'd like to hear the story behind that pseudonym!). I appreciate your looking in and commenting.
Ever heard of Jerry Lee Louis and his big hit "Great Balls of Fire"? Well that's the story! Surprised?
Mar 20, 2017 12:06:15 #
ballsafire wrote:
Ever heard of Jerry Lee Louis and his big hit "Great Balls of Fire"? Well that's the story! Surprised?
Yes, I made that connection immediately and wondered if you were a musician.
Mar 20, 2017 17:25:07 #
Mar 20, 2017 17:28:45 #
Mar 20, 2017 17:44:40 #
ballsafire
Loc: Lafayette, Louisiana
Madman wrote:
Yes, I made that connection immediately and wondered if you were a musician.
Yes, I've been a Cajun musician since the 40's - I've put away my violins - given them to my grandaughter now in Atlanta, GA. In choosing a name for this forum there was something that reminded me of "balls of fire" as I was looking for a name -- being a science teacher the whole scenario reminded me of "Ball Lightning" -- strange mental process!
Mar 20, 2017 18:33:09 #
Swamp-Cork wrote:
Great set, Larry!
Thank you very much Swamp-Cork.
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