Popular North American Wild Birds – Junco

Junco

Dark-eyed Junco – Junco hyemalis

Habitat

Dark-eyed Juncos spend their summers in woodlands, woodland edges and bogs, mostly in Canada. They spend the winter in brushy areas and the edges of woodlands, but can be found in backyards in milder climates.

Feeding Habits in the Wild

Dark-eyed Juncos feed mostly on the ground, eating weed and grass seeds, with a diet of mostly insects in the summer and seeds in the winter.

Preferred Feeder Types

Juncos prefer to eat seeds scattered on ground or spilled from hanging feeders. They will more rarely feed from platform, tray, or ledge feeders.

Species Facts

Dark-eyed Juncos are the most common bird at feeders in the winter. In most of the eastern U.S., Juncos are a “snowbird”, only seen in the cold winter months. Juncos eats larger seeds at feeders than in the wild. Dark-eyed Junco aggression around the feeder is their expression of dominance. Dominant males will be seen bullying the other members of the flock.

Preferred Food at the Feeder

White Millet, Sunflower Hearts and Chips, Red Millet, Canary Seed, Oil Sunflower, Nyjer (Thistle Seed), Roasted Peanut Chips, Cracked Corn, pumpkin and Squash Seeds, Rape Seed (Canola), Milo, Wheat, and Suet.