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Channel Islands National Park Island Scrub Jay, Santa Cruz Island - photo courtesy Collins
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Channel Islands National Park
Island Scrub-Jay
 

Common Name
Island Scrub-Jay

Scientific Name
Aphelocoma insularis

Conservation Status
Channel Islands National Park has afforded some protection for the island scrub-jay. Sheep and pigs have severely degraded habitat on the islands, but efforts to control their impact have been underway.

Habitat
This species breeds in coast live oak woodland or chaparral dominated by scrub oak on Santa Cruz Island.

Natural History
This species has been split from the Western Scrub-Jay because of its brighter plumage and different genetic makeup. It is restricted to the island of Santa Cruz off the California coast, where its entire population would be threatened by any major disturbance.

Additional Information
Please visit audubon.org or nationalzoo.si.edu for more island scrub-jay facts.

Download the 2009 Island Scrub-Jay History Report (PDF, 5.4mb) written by Paul Collins, Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, for The Nature Conservancy.

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Did You Know?
The Channel Islands are often called the "North American Galapagos" because they are home to over 150 endemic or unique species.
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Last Updated: May 25, 2011 at 14:12 MST