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