SJHCP 2007 Annual Report to USFWS
These reports are sent annually to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service for compliance with the 2001 Sebastian Area-Wide Scrub-Jay Habitat Conservation Plan, also referred to as the Sebastian Scrub-Jay HCP.  These reports reflect the progress made each year toward achieving the goals and objectives listed in the HCP.

Scrub Jay Banding 2004
Scrub Jays are banded so that they can be uniquely identified in the field.  Identification of individual jays in the Sebastian area helps biologists determine how the species is doing over time.  Scrub Jays can live10-15 years and mate for life, and typically do not travel more than a few miles from where they are born.  Tracking a banded jay can reveal how far they have traveled, what territory they are occupying, how many juveniles they have produced and with which other jay they have mated.  Juvenile scrub-jays typically stay with their parents and help raise the following year’s young before leaving their family to form their own territory.


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 some 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 mid to late February 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!