CONSPECIFIC EGG PREDATION BY FLORIDA SCRUB-JAYS

We report an observation of egg predation by conspecifics in the Florida Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens) at Archbold Biological Station in Highlands County, Florida. This is the first confirmed account of intraspecific egg predation in this threatened and declining species. We observed a group of five jays harass an established breeding pair at their nest that contained four warm eggs. One female intruder alighted on the nest and carried off an egg in its beak. Other intruding females also were seen at the nest and presumably removed two more eggs. The following day, the nest was deserted and contained only one cold egg. We discuss potential reasons for such conspecific egg predation, focusing on resource limitation. We believe that further research in this area is essential for this species in which competition for resources (e.g., nesting habitat) intensifies as suitable habitat declines.