Florida Scrub Jay
One of the most threatened birds here in Florida is also one of the easiest to see – if you know where to look! Once having an extensive range that covered much of the Atlantic coast, the Florida Scrub Jay’s territory has dwindled so drastically that in 1987 the Florida Scrub Jay’s status was classified as a threatened species.
The Florida Scrub Jay is a beautiful bird, about the size of a Blue Jay and is extremely friendly. Stand in one place long enough and you have a good chance of them sitting on your head! This friendly habit could, however, be the downfall of this species. People often bring peanuts and human food to entice the birds to eat out of their hands. It has been found that while this practice is fun, it can lead to a disruption in the breeding cycle. Chicks are born earlier with “well fed” parents, but the seeds, berries, and caterpillars necessary to feed the chicks are not abundant yet, and the chicks are either malnourished or die from starvation from lack of food.
Please Don’t Feed the Scrub Jays
According to the Department of Environmental Protection, that without an official Fish and Wildlife Commission permit (or a permitted person being present) feeding Florida Scrub Jays peanuts can be considered a “take” and is not allowed. Recently a $175 fine was levied on an individual feeding peanuts to Florida Scrub Jays at the side of the road at Canaveral National Seashore.
The official position is that “Intentional feeding of a threatened species (including luring them to one’s person), constitutes take (i.e. harass, molest, possess) as the activity alters the natural behavior of the bird by changing its diet and feeding behaviors as well as acclimating it to make contact with humans.”
Browse more Cape Coral Wildlife
Burrowing Owl
Cape Coral, Florida: Home to Florida's largest population of Burrowing Owls, charming and tiny, these owls reside in underground burrows.
Gopher Tortoise
The Gopher Tortoise is a native, keystone species that is listed as threatened due to severe habitat loss.
Bald Eagle
The American Bald Eagle is protected by both federal and local laws. Their nests are typically found in old growth pine tree stands.
Purple Martin
The Purple Martin is a migratory bird species that stops in Southwest Florida each year. CCFW volunteers have provided important habitat and monitoring.
Cape Coral Butterflies
Florida was named for its plethora of flowers. The pollinators they support, such as butterflies and skippers, are just as numerous and eye-catching!
Cats
Domestic and feral cats are not wildlife, but outdoor cats can have a terrible impact, often hunting and killing other species we care about.
Manatee
The lovable, docile manatee can be spotted relatively easily in the warm waters around Southwest Florida and Cape Coral.
Alligators
Alligators can be dangerous and should be treated with respect, but there have been no fatal encounters in Cape Coral's history.
Birds of Cape Coral
Learn more about the many species of birds that can be spotted in Cape Coral and how to identify some of them.
Brown/Green Anole
What the heck are all these lizards running around? Learn to identify the most common anoles and geckos.
Coyotes
As in many parts of the country, coyotes are extending their range into urban areas as they are driven out of their native habitats.
Bees
Bees and their pollination work are widely viewed as one the most critical building blocks in every ecosystem.