Florida scrub-jays suffer effects of warming change

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Florida scrub-jays are nesting earlier than they used to as a result of warming winters, which is impacting their populations.

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Scientists recently looked at long-term data on the federally threatened bird species from 1981 until 2018.

They found that as winters have warmed, Florida scrub-jays (Aphelocoma coerulescens) are not only moving their nesting up a week, but their offspring are also declining.

The researchers speculate that the earlier nesting allows more opportunities for snakes to prey on jay nests.

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“There is significantly more snake activity in warmer weather,” said Sahas Barve, lead author of the study and director of avian ecology at Archbold, in a press release.

“And snakes are the primary nest predator.”

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This article was first published by The Wildlife Society on 2 December 2024. Lead Image: Florida Scrub Jay – Aphelocoma coerulescens, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Titusville, Florida – Photo by Judy Gallagher.

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