Bird of the week 2023 | Week 3

Florida scrub-jay [Michael Warren]

Florida scrub-jay

The new Florida State Bird? I hope so. The mockingbird has a better voice, but it can be found all over the United States. This scrub jay, however, is only found in Florida and it’s a bit rare. There are only about 4,000 of them in the state, including this one in the Ocala National Forest. The last legislative attempt to make this the state bird (HB 207) died in subcommittee. But, as state Senator Tina Polsky says, the scrub jay is “friendly, cooperative, family-oriented, bold, curious, a talented builder, protective, shares chores, and stays close to home. Does this sound like someone you would want to represent your community?” Heck yeah! To see a Florida scrub-jay in Marion County, try the Yearling Trail in the Ocala National Forest.