Dark-eyed Junco, Image by Daniel Lee Brown
Now here is a bird you may often see in your own yards, the Dark-eyed Junco! It is a member of the sparrow family. They are frequently seen feeding on the ground and sometimes make ticking-like calls as they fly up to trees or bushes. This species is one of the most common birds on the continent; but you will only see them here in the Sacramento Valley from Fall through Spring. In summer, they nest and raise their young in coniferous forests or mixed woodlands, both to the west and east of us and also in Canada and Alaska. There are a few populations of Dark-eyed Juncos which live in other areas of the U.S. that do not migrate and stay in their areas all year long! Most Dark-eyed Juncos do migrate, however, and can be seen throughout much of the U.S. in the winter. They primarily eat seeds but during the nesting season will eat insects as well.
One of the interesting things about this bird is that its color patterns can be very different from bird to bird. Their appearance may make you believe that they are not the same species; but in fact they are. They have “coats” of many colors! (Hint: you can often suspect that you have spotted a Dark-eyed Junco when you observe their white outer tail feathers as they fly away.)
Dark-eyed Junco, Image by Ray Rozema
Female Dark-eyed Junco,
Image by Mary Forrestal
It’s the female that chooses the nest site and builds most of the nest. The nest site is usually on sloping ground, a low rock face, or amid the tangled roots of an upturned tree. Nests are sometimes in trees; but usually no higher than 10 feet. Males sing from treetops to defend their nesting territory. When around people, juncos may nest in or underneath buildings. Both parents help feed the young. Young birds leave the nest 9-13 days after hatching!
Go outside and look on the ground in your backyard today. You may very well see a Dark-eyed Junco!
Here are the calls and songs that Dark-eyed Juncos make:
These songs and calls of the Dark-eyed Junco are from xeno-canto. More Dark-eyed Junco vocalizations can be found at xeno-canto.org/species/Junco-hyemalis.