BANDING SCRUB JAYS AT NORTH SEBASTIAN, WABASSO SCRUB AND PELICAN ISLAND ELEMENTARY CONSERVATION AREAS

MAY 28-JUNE 2, 2004

Special Thanks to: Christopher D. Valligny

Research Assistant, Avian Ecology Archbold Biological Station

Banding helps identify individual birds and family units/silver band has an imprinted number that is logged with the bird banding lab with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

1ST capture at Wabasso Scrub Each bird has a unique color combination.

Measurements were taken and Blood samples taken from each bird to sample recorded for each bird. DNA and test for West Nile Virus.

Recording weight for each bird. Birds were released where they were Captured with a “complimentary” peanut.

Chris is licensed by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to band and draw blood from Florida Scrub-Jays. He works for Archbold Biological Station and during this trip he banded his 400th scrub jay. The data he collects is used for research purposes to determine genetic differences between scrub-jay metapopulations as well as other pertinent information. Each bird was released where it was captured and notes as to its territory and location found were recorded. Observation follows and will be reported as part of the USFWS Habitat Conservation Plan Report. If you see a banded bird and wish to report it, please read the band combination as the bird is facing you from top to bottom and left to right. For example, a bird has landed on your feeder facing you, on his actual right leg (facing you the leg on the left) he has two bands, the top one is dark blue, the bottom one is yellow; on his actual left leg (facing you the leg on the right) he has two bands, the top one is white and the bottom one is silver. You would record and report this way: Date: Time: Location: Banding: June 18, 2004 9:05am 5350 77th Street, bird feeder in front yard D. Blue, Yellow – White, Silver Banding colors include: Dark Blue, Azure (Lt. Blue), Dark Green, Light Green, Flesh, White, Orange, Red, Yellow, Purple and Pink (hot pink). The silver band includes a unique number that is four digits followed by a dash and then five digits long. If you were to find a dead bird with a band, this information would be very important to report. The numbers are very small and hard to read on a live bird, so reading the color banding is the best method of identification. You can also record birds that are not banded, although it is much harder to distinguish between new individuals and customary visitors. You may know that you regularly see 3 Scrub Jays together at your feeder or other location, but suddenly there are four or only 2. This information recorded can be used to determine when fledglings are present or have left the family unit as well as when there may have been a death in the family. You may report your findings in Indian River County to Beth Powell, Conservation Lands Manager, Indian River County at: bpowell@ircgov.com. General Information on the Florida Scrub Jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens):

The Florida Scrub-Jay is not the same species as the Scrub-Jay you may have encountered in the western part of the United States.

The Florida Scrub-Jay is on the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s Threatened Species List and is protected by the Endangered Species Act of 1973.

They are endemic to peninsular Florida and are not recorded any where else on earth. They rely completely on the Florida Xeric Scrub as their home; these areas are found along the Atlantic Coastal Ridge

that runs through Florida and contains small oak species, rosemary, some sand pine and open sandy surfaces. They prefer a low tree/shrub canopy no taller than 6 feet and with very few tall trees. Pairs mate for life; “divorce” has been recorded in very rare instances. Juveniles stay with their parents for up to 2, sometimes even 3 or more years if available habitat is not available; they

assist with raising the next year’s babies. Juveniles may join another family unit for a time and help raise fledglings, these are called Family Helpers The Fathers and Juveniles or Family Helpers feed the mother and nestlings during breeding season; bringing them freshly

caught insects full of protein and water. Family Helpers/Juveniles also serve as “sentinels” or keep a look-out for predators. While “on the job” they may remain in

the same tall tree for a long time keeping an eye on their territory. If a hawk, snake or other predator enters the area, they will sound an alarm call to their family members who will then defend their territory. They may mob the hawk or crouch down low in the scrub oaks until the threat has left the area.

The Jays may make up to 3 or more nests in one breeding season before they lay a successful clutch. If the clutch is damaged or eggs are eaten (by a snake or raccoon for instance), the parents may try and nest again in a different location.

Breeding begins as early as March and may run as long as July 1st. A family of Scrub Jays typically occupy and utilize a habitat of approximately 20 acres each with a little overlap with other

families. Overcrowding is a big concern in areas that are being developed rapidly. The jays need their own space/habitat and become stressed with their territory is reduced, overcrowded and fragmented (by housing, roads, etc.).

During the summer, they prefer to eat insects full of protein and water; they do not have to have a water source in order to survive, although they do find baths refreshing!

Birds of prey, domestic and feral cats and raccoons are their worst predators. In an optimum scrub habitat, these animals are not typically found.

Although adults can typically survive in a residential area, fledgling success is extremely low due to the high incidence of predation. A typical Residential Family will produce one successful off-spring every two years; a typical optimal scrub-habitat family will produce two successful off-springs every year.

Scrub-Jays are naturally very fearless, which is why they tame very easily. They are not typically afraid of humans or other predators and will defend themselves and their family without fear.

Harassing or harming a Scrub-Jay is a federal offense. Disturbing a nest is also illegal. Permits are required to “take,” or “disturb” a scrub-jay. The City of Sebastian and Indian River County have gone through the permitting process to receive Incidental Take Permits for the Sebastian Highlands area for housing development. This process allows occupied scrub-jay habitat to be developed, but does not allow for actual harm to the birds, in other words, the birds are still protected, but the habitat is not.

Scrub-Jays are a marvelously unique species in their beauty, family make-up and general personality. They make a great addition to the unique and beautiful lifestyle of Floridians and residents of Indian River County. There are most likely only 50 Scrub Jays in all of Eastern Indian River County. Siting one of these beautiful birds is a unique and privileged opportunity not to be taken lightly!