USGS Home
Contact USGS
Search USGS

   

Current Status:

This species is threatened by conversion of its habitat to agricultural, residential, and commercial land uses, and by suppression of fire, which is needed to maintain scrub vegetation.

Achievements:

In June 1991, the Fish and Wildlife Service began a statewide initiative to protect remaining scrub jay habitat, including habitat on private lands. Brevard County is preparing a long-term countywide Habitat Conservation Plan. Such Habitat Conservation Plans could allow development in conjunction with habitat protection. Additional funding received in FY 1992 covers many of the initial expenses required for this Habitat Conservation Plan and facilitates needed studies. Indian River, Seminole, and Charlotte Counties have also expressed interest in developing Habitat Conservation Plans. With the cooperation of all leading scrub jay researchers, it is expected that publication of a statewide framework for composition of Habitat Conservation Plans will be completed before the end of 1993. The Service has contracted with Archbold Biological Station to map and survey all remaining scrub within Polk and Highlands Counties and collect data on the birds' tolerance of encroachment into their territories. The Service has also proposed establishment of a National Wildlife Refuge on Lake Wales Ridge, which contains the third largest population of scrub jays in the State. Numerous section 7 consultations with a variety of Federal agencies (e.g., Forest Service, Air Force, National Aeronautic and Space Administration) have resulted in measures that help conserve scrub jay habitat.

Current Recovery Needs:

A statewide approach to writing Habitat Conservation Plans is needed so that regional considerations are given to individual and countywide requests for incidental take. Population monitoring and habitat protection, maintenance, and restoration are essential for recovery.

Partnerships

U.S. Air Force, Forest Service, and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA): These Federal agencies develop management plans for scrub jays on public lands, conduct habitat surveys, manage habitats, and develop management guidelines. NASA has banded nearly all scrub jays on Kennedy Space Center property, and research activities are being conducted on the basic biology of the species.

Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission: In April 1991, the agency published "Ecology and Development-Related Habitat Requirements of the Florida Scrub Jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens coerulescens)," which encourages private landowners to include scrub jays in their development and management plans by identifying habitat requirements for the species and appropriate land management techniques to ensure the survival of the species in a developed landscape.

Recovery Plan Status:

Plan approved 5/9/90.