Florida scrub-jays live in family groups that include a breeding pair and their offspring. They are unique in that many of their offspring stay within their parents' territory for several years before leaving to establish their own territories or join other families. The rare social system of cooperative breeding isn't altruistic. It exists because Florida scrub-jays are living in a highly competitive, crowded environment. Since limited habitat is available, young jays must wait until territory opens up.
Helpers greatly increase the likelihood of survival of the breeding pair and young offspring.
While within their parents' territory, young birds help feed hatchlings and defend against predators and neighboring jay families. Territories containing helpers are more likely to expand at the expense of neighboring jay families that do not have helpers. Habitat and Threats Florida scrub-jays are found primarily throughout the Lake Wales Ridge and in portions of the east and west coasts of central and south Florida. Their original range has been reduced considerably by development and agriculture. Fire suppression has degraded the quality of remaining habitat and has made much of it unsuitable for scrub-jays.