We call them “snowbirds,” because they leave as soon as the snow begins to fall and temperatures drop But there’s another type of snowbird, the
dark-eyed junco
. Although you may see Dark-eyed Juncos here in summer, come fall, many, many more arrive to spend the winter.
Are juncos a winter bird?
Juncos are the “snowbirds” of the middle latitudes. Over most of the eastern United States, they appear as winter sets in, and then retreat northward each spring.
Where are the juncos this winter?
Juncos that breed in Canada and Alaska migrate to the southern United States in winter. Some populations in the Rocky Mountains are only short-distance migrants, and some individuals in the West and in the Appalachian Mountains of the East don’t migrate at all.
What does it mean when you see a junco bird?
Dark-eyed junco heralds winter’s approach and marks milestone in weekly bird musings. Photo by Bryan Stevens • A dark-eyed junco, usually a harbinger of
wintry weather
and snowy days , shells sunflower seeds beneath a feeder.
Do juncos eat from feeders?
Juncos are ground-feeding, granivorous birds – which means they primarily eat seeds and grain. Favorites are hulled sunflower seed,
white proso millet
, and cracked corn. Because they eat near the ground, a low platform feeder or open tray is an excellent choice.
Do juncos eat suet?
Juncos will eat suet when spread at the base of a tree However, traditional suet feeders are difficult for these birds to use. Because they are ground feeders, Juncos are not accustomed to clinging to the side of a suet log.
Do juncos stay for the winter?
Juncos flood into Southwestern Ontario each October and stay here into April so we have a good chance to observe and learn about them. Because they are regular winter visitors, their nickname is the snowbird.
What is the difference between a junco and a chickadee?
Chickadees tend to have dark “caps” on their heads with
white faces
, and they also boast
black bibs
In general, their coloring is typically a cloudy gray as compared to the dark-eyed junco’s slate black, and their breast is more cream-colored than the junco’s white.
How do juncos survive winter?
These little creatures have the amazing ability to survive our winters by feeding on plants that offer a banquet of seeds, berries and nuts You can usually spot dark-eyed juncos by walking around open, partially wooded areas with understory for cover.
Is junco a sparrow?
The Dark-eyed Junco is a medium-sized sparrow with a rounded head, a short, stout bill and a fairly long, conspicuous tail.
Why do juncos eat on the ground?
A platform feeder with a large roof to keep out the snowy or rainy winter weather and keep seeds dry is ideal. More often than not, though, juncos will feed on the ground under the feeders where seeds have spilled out.
Are juncos friendly?
Attracting these energetic birds is easy, if you make your yard junco-friendly to meet their needs.
Can juncos eat sunflower seeds?
Juncos are seedeaters; they’ll feed on seeds from your plants throughout much of the year. If you want to lure them to a feeder, offer black-oil sunflower seed or millet They’re ground feeders, so provide a large ground tray feeder like this one pictured above.
Why do juncos click?
During winter, flocks of Juncos can be found around woodland edges and suburban yards, feeding on the ground , making ticking calls as they fly up into the bushes. Listen for a rapid, high-pitched clicking sound when the birds get startled or their ‘Kew Kew Kew’ calls.
Where do junco birds go in the summer?
Dark-eyed Juncos summer in forest openings in northern parts of North America and in forested mountains in the West Up to 66% of all Dark-eyed Juncos nest in the boreal forests. In winter they move south and are found in most of the United States.
Where do juncos nest?
Nest Placement The female chooses the nest site, typically in a depression or niche on sloping ground, rock face, or amid the tangled roots of an upturned tree Around people, juncos may nest in or underneath buildings.
What to feed birds when it snows?
- Black oil sunflower seed.
- Hulled peanuts or peanut hearts.
- Nyjer (thistle) seed.
- Suet mixes with seeds or fruit.
- Peanut butter.
- White millet seed.
Is a Dark-eyed Junco a snowbird?
Juncos Are Nicknamed Snowbirds The dark eyed junco has a cute nickname: snowbird! This is because a junco bird seems to bring snowy winter weather on its wings as it migrates. In the colder months they travel in flocks of 15 to 25 from northern evergreen forests to backyards all over the U.S.
What do junco birds eat?
Diet. Mostly seeds and insects Close to half of summer diet of adults consists of insects, including caterpillars, beetles, grasshoppers, true bugs, and others, also spiders. Feeds heavily on seeds of weeds and grasses, especially in winter.
What is a flock of juncos called?
A flock of juncos is called a chittering, flutter, crew, or host Juncos will also join mixed flocks with chickadees, sparrows, and kinglets. These are monogamous birds and may mate for life, especially since they will stay in flocks year-round, so mates are able to maintain their bond.
How far north do juncos migrate?
Range/Migration The winter range extends across southern Canada and virtually all of the lower 48 states into northern Mexico Juncos are found year-round throughout much of the West, Great Lakes region, Northeast, and Appalachians, though these areas experience complete or partial turnover of individuals.
What is a titmouse look like?
Measurements. Soft silvery gray above and white below, with a rusty or peach-colored wash down the flanks A black patch just above the bill makes the bird look snub-nosed. Tufted Titmice are acrobatic foragers, if a bit slower and more methodical than chickadees.
What does a towhee look like?
Male Spotted Towhees have jet-black upperparts and throat; their wings and back are spotted bright white. The flanks are warm rufous and the belly is white. Females have the same pattern but are grayish brown where males are black. In flight, look for white corners to the black tail.
What is the sound of a Junco bird?
During the spring and summer, juncos will often stand atop high trees singing a high-pitched, trilling song to attract mates. “The name my daughter used to call it was the ‘telephone’ bird,” Demulder says, as it sounded a bit like the telephone ringers of old.
Are juncos invasive?
It’s an invasive species , Japanese knotweed.
Will juncos use a birdhouse?
When Melissa Sherwood wrote to NestWatch asking if it was unusual for a Dark-eyed Junco to nest in a birdhouse, we initially thought it was a case of mistaken ID. We told her that juncos don’t nest in cavities , as they are known to be open-cup nesters (although they will nest in crevices or crannies near the ground).
Do juncos eat oats?
Although juncos will perch on feeders, more often they are seen below, searching for dropped seed. They will eat millet and sunflower seeds, peanut hearts, cracked corn, and oats.
Will juncos eat Nyjer seed?
They typically use platform feeders or feed on the ground.” Clearly, juncos are considered ground feeders that occasionally take nyjer seeds that have fallen to the ground.
Will juncos eat nuts?
Birds That Eat Peanuts The most common birds that enjoy peanuts include: Chickadees. Crows. Dark-eyed juncos.
Do juncos eat blueberries?
Dark-Eyed Juncos also eat the berries from many native shrubs and trees This high-sugar, fibrous food is rich in nutrients, including a range of vitamins. While you might think raspberries and blueberries are their favorite food, think again.
Will juncos eat mealworms?
Birds that are likely to take mealworms from a feeder include: Song Sparrows, chickadees, nuthatches, wrens, towhees, juncos, jays, woodpeckers, Varied Thrush and, of course bluebirds!.
Do juncos migrate north?
Male juncos tend to spend the winter farther north in order to shorten their spring migration and thus gain the advantage of arriving first at prime breeding territories. When migrating, female juncos move south before the males do, and adult females leave before the young females.
Do juncos nest in the same place every year?
Generally monogamous, juncos return to the same territory year after year. Yet each year, they build a new nest , and the female will often start several before finishing the one in which eggs are ultimately laid. Most nests are built in hollows close to the ground: under a rock, in a root wad, under a fallen trunk.
What’s the difference between a male and female junco?
Slate-colored Junco A male has a gray head (sometimes closer to black, sometimes tinged brown), chest, back, and wings, and a bright white belly; a female is similar with a paler brown wash.
What’s the difference between a nuthatch and a chickadee?
Carolina Chickadee Carolina Chickadees have a longer tail, a smaller bill, and are less compact than nuthatches They also don’t climb up and down tree trunks the way nuthatches do.
What bird looks like a chickadee bigger?
A bit larger than the titmouse and chickadee is the White-breasted Nuthatch This bird has a white-to-gray breast, slate back, and black on its cap and nape.
Where do birds sleep at night?
Many bird species choose cavities or niches to roost in at night, which prevents predators from having easy access to them. These same cavities also provide shelter from poor weather and may include bird roost boxes or empty birdhouses. Snags, dense thickets, and tree canopies are other common roosting spots.
How do outdoor birds stay warm in the winter?
- Move the Cage Away From Doors and Windows. Birds that are positioned near doors and windows are at risk of being exposed to icy drafts
- Consider Covering the Cage at Night
- Try Temporary Insulation
- Use Caution When Heating.
What do you do with birds in the winter?
In areas where the weather can turn cold and possibly freeze the water in bird baths, a heater or heated birdbath is a great option. Roosting boxes or natural plant covers can also help birds seeking protection from cold weather and natural predators.
Where do juncos sleep at night?
Juncos prefer to roost in evergreens at night but will also use tall grasses and brush piles. They return to the same roost location repeatedly and will share it with other flock mates, but they do not huddle together.
What bird looks like a sparrow but has a black head?
Black-headed Grosbeak Its breast is dark to tawny orange in color. Its belly is yellow. The female has a brown head, neck and back with sparrow-like black streaks. She also has white streaks down the middle of her head, over her eyes and on her cheeks.
References
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Dark-eyed_Junco/overview
http://www.biokids.umich.edu/critters/Junco_hyemalis/
https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/sites/catalog/files/project/pdf/ec1603.pdf