Scrub jays build open-cup nests in trees or shrubs, typically 3–10 feet above the ground, and lay 3–5 eggs once or twice per year. The female incubates the eggs for about 17–18 days, and the young fledge roughly 18–21 days after hatching.
Species and Range
The term “scrub jay” most often refers to the Western Scrub Jay (Aphelocoma californica) and the Florida Scrub Jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens). The Western Scrub Jay is found along the Pacific coast from Washington to Baja California, as well as in interior parts of the Great Basin. The Florida Scrub Jay is a non-migratory species restricted to the scrub habitats of central Florida, and it is listed as threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. A third species, the Island Scrub Jay (Aphelocoma insularis), lives only on Santa Cruz Island off the California coast.
Nest Site Selection
Scrub jays are flexible in their choice of nesting locations, but they generally prefer dense, shrubby vegetation that provides cover from predators. Western Scrub Jays commonly nest in oaks, pines, junipers, and manzanita, while Florida Scrub Jays rely on low, scrubby oaks such as myrtle oak and sand live oak. The nest is usually placed in a fork of branches, 3 to 10 feet above the ground, though nests as high as 30 feet have been recorded. The female selects the site and does most of the construction, while the male accompanies her and may bring some material.
Nest Construction and Materials
The nest is a bulky, open cup made of twigs, grasses, rootlets, and strips of bark, lined with finer materials like animal hair, feathers, or soft plant fibers. Construction takes about 5 to 10 days, and the female often continues adding lining until the eggs are laid. Unlike some birds that reuse nests, scrub jays typically build a fresh nest each year, although they may remain in the same general territory.
Egg Laying and Incubation
Clutch size is typically 3 to 5 eggs, though occasionally 2 or 6. The eggs are pale greenish-blue or grayish with brownish speckles, and they measure about 1 inch long. The female lays one egg per day, usually in the early morning. Incubation begins with the penultimate or last egg, so all chicks hatch within a day or two of each other. The female does the bulk of the incubation, and the male feeds her during this period. Incubation lasts 17 to 18 days.
Chick Development and Fledging
Hatchlings are altricial—blind, naked, and helpless. The female broods them constantly for the first few days, and both parents feed the chicks a diet of insects, spiders, and occasionally small vertebrates. The young fledge at 18 to 21 days, but they remain dependent on their parents for another 1 to 2 months. In some cases, especially in Florida Scrub Jays, older offspring from previous broods stay with their parents and help feed the new chicks—a behavior known as cooperative breeding.
Breeding Season and Number of Broods
Scrub jays typically breed once per year. In California, the breeding season runs from March through July, with peak egg-laying in April and May. Florida Scrub Jays breed slightly later, from March through June. If a first nest fails early, a pair may renest within the same season. However, they rarely raise two successful broods in one year.
Common Threats and Nest Predators
Nest predation is the leading cause of nest failure. Common predators include snakes, raccoons, squirrels, crows, ravens, and domestic cats. In Florida, the main threats are scrub-jay habitat loss and fragmentation, which increase predation and reduce nesting success. Because scrub jays are territorial and often remain in the same area year-round, they are particularly vulnerable to local habitat destruction.
How to Observe Nests Responsibly
If you find a scrub jay nest, observe from a distance and avoid making the parents flush. Repeated disturbance can cause the parents to abandon the nest or alert predators to its location. Do not touch the eggs or chicks, and never remove nest material. In many areas, scrub jays are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, making it illegal to disturb an active nest.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do scrub jays nest?
Scrub jays nest in spring, typically from March through July depending on the region. In California, most eggs are laid in April and May; in Florida, nesting peaks in April and May as well.
Do scrub jays use nest boxes?
No, scrub jays are not cavity nesters and do not use nest boxes. They build open cup nests in shrubs and trees, so providing dense native vegetation is the best way to support them.
How long do scrub jay babies stay in the nest?
Scrub jay chicks fledge about 18 to 21 days after hatching. They leave the nest before they can fly well and spend several weeks hopping through branches while their parents continue to feed them.
Do scrub jays mate for life?
Scrub jays are generally monogamous and pairs may stay together for several years, but they do not necessarily mate for life. In Florida Scrub Jays, pairs often remain together on a permanent territory, and offspring may help raise subsequent broods.
What should I do if I find a scrub jay nest in my yard?
Leave it alone. Keep pets away and avoid trimming vegetation near the nest. If the nest is in a dangerous spot, contact a local wildlife rehabilitation center for advice, but do not move it yourself—it is likely protected by law.
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