The Florida Scrub Jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens ) is one of the species of scrub jay native to North America. It is the only species of bird endemic to the U.S. state of Florida and one of only 15 species endemic to the United States. Because of this, it is heavily sought by birders who travel from across the country to observe this unique species. It is known to have been present in Florida as a recognizably distinct species since at least 2 mya (Emslie, 1996 ); possibly it is derived from the ancestors of Woodhouse's Scrub Jay, the inland forms of the Western Scrub-jay (Rice et al. 2003 ).
It measures 23 to 28 cm (9.1 to 11 in) in length, and weighs from 66 to 92 g (2.3 to 3.2 oz), with an average 80.2 g (2.83 oz). The wingspan of the jay is 33–36 cm (13–14 in). It has a strong black bill, blue head and nape without a crest, a whitish forehead and supercilium, blue bib, blue wings, grayish underparts, gray back, long blue tail, black legs and feet.
Read more about Florida Scrub Jay: Dangers of Human Feeding, Ecology, Conservation, Gallery, Footnotes
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