The Mystery of the Banded Florida Scrub-Jay at Golden Aster Preserve

Story by Mary Keith, Conservation Chair

Photo by Ryan Scharf

Ryan Scharf found and photographed this Florida Scrub-Jay in August at Golden Aster Preserve.

In early August, a banded Florida Scrub-Jay was photographed at Golden Aster Scrub Nature Preserve by Ryan Scharf. None had been reported there for several years, and none had been banded at the Gibsonton preserve for probably five or six years. 

So where did this one come from?

We started by checking the band colors that we could see against the known bands from Moody Branch and Duette Preserves in Manatee County. They’re the nearest known populations. 

Part of the problem is that colored plastic bands fade over time and exposure to sunlight. So, what looked at first glance as being white and pink bands didn’t start that way. Thank goodness at least the silver band doesn’t fade, but it’s impossible to read all the numbers from a metal band with just one photo.

At first, it looked like this bird may have been banded at Moody Branch in 2020. A bird there got flesh over hot pink bands on the right leg, and blue over silver on the left leg. That was really close to what our mystery bird looks like it has. 

But, one of the companies that works with Duette on banding their Scrub-Jays has found a better match.  

The mystery bird is one of the original, last three birds known to be in Golden Aster! It was banded as an adult in 2020, in Golden Aster. Its bands were Flesh over Purple on the right, Blue over Silver on the left leg. 

We don’t know where it’s been for the last several years, but we know it's at least six years old. Single birds will travel to look for mates, and sometimes return to where it had been. 

But, the distance from Golden Aster to Moody Branch is almost 15 miles, which is three times the usual distance they’ll go! And, so far, no one seems to have seen it with any unbanded Scrub-Jays. 

If you go to Golden Aster and see unbanded jays, please let us know! Maybe it did go find a mate and return home. If you see any banded birds, please let us know about those, too. Record the location, color, and code from the bird's left leg first, then the right leg, from top to bottom. If possible, take a photo to document your findings. Send your report to mary.keith@tampaaudubon.org.

And if you go to Golden Aster and see the Scrub-Jays, PLEASE DO NOT FEED THEM! It’s illegal, and it’s bad for their health.