From Opus

Photo by Scottfla72
Location: Oscar Scherer State Park, FL

Alternative name: Florida Jay

Aphelocoma coerulescens

[edit] Identification

This jay shows only shades of light gray and blue:

[edit] Adult

• Long blue tail
• Blue undertail coverts
• Blue wings
• Blue neck and head
• Whitish supercilium that connects over the bill as a white forehead
• White stripes on the throat
• Pale gray mantle
• Pale gray underside
• Legs and bill are dark

[edit] Juvenile

• Lacks blue on head and neck and wing coverts
• Darker on the back

[edit] Similar Species

• Within range, the most similar species is the Blue Jay, which has shorter tail, blue back at all ages, white wing-bars, blue crest, and black markings in the head and thoat areas.
• Very similar to the other Scrub-Jays, but they are all in the western U.S.

[edit] Distribution

Mid to south parts of the Florida peninsula (more to the Atlantic than the Gulf side) where it is common but localized.

[edit] Taxonomy

The monotypic Florida Scrub-Jay, Island Scrub-Jay, and Western Scrub-Jay were previously considered conspecific (Scrub Jay, Aphelocoma coerulescens).

[edit] Habitat

Scrublands, especially with scrub oaks rather than pines.

[edit] Behaviour

An inquisitive and intelligent species, the most striking attribute of the Florida Scrub Jay's behavior is its remarkable tameness. Scrub Jays show almost no fear of people and will even take peanuts from people's hands and lips. Scrub Jays will also steal silverware and other shiny objects in a manner similar to the American Crow.

[edit] External Links