Archbold Biological Station is deeply saddened to announce the passing of a resident Florida Scrub-Jay, "SWY.” On the morning of May 8th, 2025, SWY died after being struck by a vehicle on Old State Road 8. He was found lying on the side of the road, his body completely crushed. His mate, “AWS,” who stayed near his body following the incident, later returned to their nest of three eggs, alone. Their names reflect the identifying color bands on their legs which Archbold scientists use to monitor each individual in this wild population. SWY stands for silver, white, yellow, and AWS stands for azure, white, silver.

SWY hatched on April 7, 2017. He spent the first two years of life with his mother, father, and siblings in their home territory of sprawling scrub habitat with scattered wetlands in the interior of Archbold Biological Station in Venus, Florida.

In 2019 he started his own family with a female jay by Old 8, half a mile east of where he grew up. After years of failed nesting attempts, he lost his first partner to unknown causes in 2021. As Florida Scrub-Jays often do, he soon partnered with a new mate - AWS - who he remained with until his final day.

In 2022, one of SWY’s daughters was attacked by a predator, leaving her unable to fly. SWY, the attentive father that he was, brought her food multiple times a day for 10 months. Parent jays typically wean their kids after three months. Unfortunately, his daughter disappeared, presumed deceased, in 2023.

On a typical day, SWY frequented an old slash pine snag in his territory. He perched there high above the scrub, keeping his family safe by watching for predators while they foraged in the brush below. Not only was he observed protecting his family, but he was also seen bringing food to his mate and carrying sticks and fibers to build nests. A pair of Red-bellied Woodpeckers who nested in the large snag would often perch nearby, as well as a local pair of American Kestrels. SWY’s alarm calls when he saw a predator were heeded by his family and his neighbors.

Since SWY’s passing, his mate, AWS, continued attending to their nest. The eggs hatched in late May.

Steven Thyme

SWY is survived by three nestlings, one child, and AWS. The whereabouts and survivorship of his other children are unknown. He has no known grandchildren, nieces, or nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, two siblings, his first partner, and numerous babies who never reached maturity. This detailed information is only possible because of the decades long study of Florida Scrub-Jays at Archbold.

SWY will be dearly missed by the scientists who spent many hours watching him navigate through life. The family he leaves behind will also feel the impact; male scrub-jays typically defend territory boundaries, protect family members, and bring their mate and young children food. AWS will now do all this on her own, with their one-year-old child following her lead.

This outcome is, unfortunately, all too common for scrub-jays that live near Florida’s roads. Research done at Archbold and elsewhere has shown that the mortality rate for jays with territories bordering a road is 20% higher than for jays in the interior scrub. Detailed research done at Archbold elucidates the effects of human-made structures, like roads, on native wildlife. SR-70, along Archbold’s northern boundary, is slated to double in width, meaning the threat of vehicles to scrub-jays and other wildlife will significantly grow. Road development and expansion have a cascading effect on jays with territories by roads, their interior neighbors, and the population as a whole.

That’s why Archbold works closely with partners and agencies statewide to provide science-informed solutions for wildlife crossings and habitat mitigation.

Friends and community members are encouraged to honor SWY’s memory by observing a bird in their backyard or their favorite park for an extended time period to see that, like SWY, all birds are complex creatures, living complicated lives with unfolding social dynamics.

Memorial donations may be made online at www.archbold-station.org or to the Avian Ecology Program at Archbold Biological Station 123 Main Drive, Venus, FL 33960.