Today, my DH and friend, Karen and I went out to a Scrub Jay Festival in a state park here. I became aware of this bird, which lives only in Florida scrub habitat, an ecosystem that exists only in Florida and is characterized by nutrient-poor soil, occasional drought and frequent wildfires. There is an ongoing campaign to name the Florida Scrub Jay the new state bird of Florida. The main argument for changing the state bird is that the current state bird (the Northern Mockingbird) is the state bird of several other states, while the Scrub Jay is exclusive to Florida. Now that I know about this species, (which, by the way, is on the Threatened list), .....I hope it will become our state bird! (Picture and info taken from wikipedia source).You can read more HERE. And HERE.
Interesting, lovely looking bird and great idea to use it as a State bird.
ReplyDeleteWe went to FL birding in March 2007 to get this bird. We saw it at the Oscar Sherer State Park. It is a real treasure. I hope Fl changes to it.
ReplyDeleteWow, now that would be a lovely bird to get pictures of. I've not seen it before. It would make a nice state bird. I wonder if they will change it after it having been the mockingbird for so long?
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely week ~ FlowerLady
I love the Northern Mockingbird . . . but I'd be all for changing it to the Scrub Jay.
ReplyDeleteDid you see any in the "wild" while at the festival? I don't know if I've ever seen one of these and we do quite a bit of hiking. Although in flight I imagine I could easily confuse it with a Blue Jay (we have lots of those).
Isn't he a pretty bird Julie. I am sure he would be a perfect state emblem because he is so unique to the area.
ReplyDeleteI have seen these jays and how exciting if they become your state bird.
ReplyDeleteHi Julie *hugs*
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting name for a bird...*s*...he looks somewhat like a bluejay but with less feathers because he lives in Florida I think....*s*...
It sounds like you had a nice day...
and hope he becomes your state bird...
Judi xo
Yes that would be the perfect one for the state bird. especially since it is unique to FL!
ReplyDeleteHope you are fine
♥M
Hope you had a great time at the Scrub Jay Festival. Sorry to hear though that here's another bird on the threatened species list.
ReplyDeleteI hope he's better tempered than blue jays... my grandmother always told me that you never see a blue jay on Friday because that's when they all fly to hell to report to Satan what all the children are up to. so if you were doing something you shouldn't be doing... make sure there's no blue jays watching...
ReplyDeleteHahaha! What a great story, Claude!!!!!
DeleteVery interesting! I had heard about this bird but have never seen one. I played the sound it makes on the site you linked to so maybe I will recognize it by sound if not by sight. I agree with you. It should become the state bird. Is there a petition floating around?
ReplyDeleteHi Julie,
ReplyDeleteYour scrub jay looks like our scrub jay. Out in the Central Ca foothills we have birds that look just like these.
Ha ha Claude. Love that. Maybe our jays are blue jays. They are mean birds. They steal eggs out of nests and fight for food. They are just the bullies of my neck of the woods.
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