Florida Scrub-Jay Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesFlorida Scrub-Jay
Adult
Large, long-tailed songbird with a sturdy bill. Adults have a blue head, wings, and tail and a pale gray back and belly. Note whitish forehead.
© Cassidy Ficker / Macaulay LibraryFlorida, March 08, 2020Juvenile
Juveniles are grayer overall than adults, lacking the adult's blue head.
© Luke Berg / Macaulay LibraryFlorida, August 22, 2019Adult
A medium-sized songbird with a heavy bill and long tail. Dull blue overall with a whitish forehead and a pale gray back and belly.
© Chris Wood / Macaulay LibraryFlorida, April 16, 2021Adult
An uncrested Jay restricted to Florida. Note whitish forehead and gray back.
© WS Barbour / Macaulay LibraryFlorida, January 17, 2016Adult
Often perches in a nearly vertical position, giving it a very elongated look. Note blue necklace.
© Christoph Moning / Macaulay LibraryFlorida, January 02, 2013Adult
Florida Scrub-Jays form family groups that consist of a breeding pair and up to 6 nonbreeding birds.
© Matthew D. Medler / Macaulay LibraryFlorida, October 26, 2014Adult
Florida Scrub-Jays eat peanuts and can become quite tame.
© Nate Swick / Macaulay LibraryFlorida, January 24, 2013Habitat
Restricted to Florida oak scrub and scrubby flatwoods found on prehistoric and current sand dunes. Found in scrub with patches of open sand and an open tree canopy.
© Gabriel Gonzalez / Macaulay LibraryFlorida, December 07, 2020Adult
One individual from the family group often serves as a sentinel to keep an eye out for approaching predators.
© Matthew D. Medler / Macaulay LibraryFlorida, October 26, 2014Adult
Florida Scrub-Jays are restricted to low-growing scrub oak in central Florida, where they are intensively studied. This individual has color bands on its legs to help researchers monitor individuals in the population.
© Timothy Barksdale / Macaulay LibraryFlorida, April 01, 2001Similar SpeciesBlue Jay
Adult
Blue Jays have a crest that Florida Scrub-Jays don't have. They also have blue backs and a white wingbar unlike the gray-backed and plain-winged Florida Scrub-Jay.
© bellemare celine / Macaulay LibraryQuebec, February 03, 2017Similar SpeciesWoodhouse's Scrub-Jay
Adult (Woodhouse's)
Woodhouse's Scrub-Jays look very similar, but they don't have the white frosting on the forehead like Florida Scrub-Jays. Their range does not overlap with the Florida Scrub-Jay.
© Chris Wood / Macaulay LibraryColorado, November 22, 2012Similar SpeciesCalifornia Scrub-Jay
Adult
California Scrub-Jays look similar, but they lack the Florida Scrub-Jay's white frosting on the forehead. Their ranges do not overlap.
© Brian Sullivan / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, October 02, 2011Compare with Similar Species
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Species in This Family
Crows, Jays, and Magpies(Order: Passeriformes, Family: Corvidae)
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