INTERACTIONS BETWEEN SYMPATRIC FLORIDA SCRUB-JAYS AND SOUTHEASTERN AMERICAN KESTRELS.

The Florida Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens) and the Southeastern American Kestrel (Falco sparverius paulus) are imperiled species of conservation concern that occur sympatrically in Florida scrub habitat. Despite their overlap in scrub habitat, little information is available about agonistic encounters between these species. During concurrent bird research projects in Ocala National Forest, we opportunistically noted 18 interactions where the two species came within 10 m of each other. These primarily consisted of one species simply displacing the other from a perch without pursuit, and both species initiated these interactions. We found no evidence that Southeastern American Kestrels pose a threat to Florida Scrub-Jays, especially given their small size relative to the scrub-jay and their predominantly invertebrate diet. More fine-scale observations are needed to understand potential benefits that the species might accrue through their coexistence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]