About Me
A Proud Native Floridian
My name is Anya Cane and I’m 17 years old and I am a current resident of Florida. I’m passionate about ornithology because bird populations contribute to a healthy ecosystem and enhance our environment with their beauty. Due to my commitment to bird conservation and to the great state of Florida, it is my opinion that our state bird should be changed to more accurately represent our unique home. I am advocating for Florida to adopt the “Florida Scrub Jay” as our official state bird.
WHY THE FLORIDA SCRUB JAY?
The Florida Scrub Jay is the only bird endemic to Florida. This means the FSJ resides exclusively within our state and isn’t found anywhere else in the world. These birds rarely move more than a few miles from where they hatch and spend their entire lifetime within our state border. I don’t blame them, it's a great place to live!
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Endangered
Threatened by loss of habitat
The Scrub Jay loves sandy soil and the low growing scrub oak. Of course a true Florida bird loves the sand! These birds are very family oriented and social. Family groups stay close together and cooperate with raising young and watching for predators. Unfortunately, this species is being threatened by loss of habitat and it has been placed on the federal endangered species list. Adopting the Florida Scrub Jay as our official state bird will lead to a better understanding of the species and increased conservation efforts.
Endangered
Threatened by loss of habitat
The Scrub Jay loves sandy soil and the low growing scrub oak. Of course a true Florida bird loves the sand! These birds are very family oriented and social. Family groups stay close together and cooperate with raising young and watching for predators. Unfortunately, this species is being threatened by loss of habitat and it has been placed on the federal endangered species list. Adopting the Florida Scrub Jay as our official state bird will lead to a better understanding of the species and increased conservation efforts.
Photo: Christoph Moning
Photo: Max Nootbaar
NOW IS THE TIME TO MAKE THE CHANGE
Currently, the Florida state bird is the Northern Mockingjay. This is also a great bird and very common in our state. The Mockingjay has been a successful representative for us since 1927. However, I feel it is time for us to embrace the FSJ as a symbol of our state for several reasons. These reasons include that the Northern Mockingjay is recognized as the state bird in several other states and is not unique to Florida (Arkansas, Texas, Tennessee, and Mississippi). While the Mockingjay is a lovely bird and a talented mimic, it does not specifically represent Florida in the way that the Florida Scrub Jay does.
Please join me in supporting the Florida Scrub Jay as the new state bird of Florida!
