Snowbirds are on the Move

Male Slate-colored Junco
 (photo courtesy of Wikipedia)

No, not the mass migration of retirees to Florida, Arizona and other warm climates. I'm referring to the adorable member of the sparrow family known as the Dark-eyed Junco.  They are also affectionately called Snowbirds by many due to their "reappearance" each fall just before the first flurries fly.

Juncos breed in the coniferous forests across Canada, in the western and eastern United States and in the Appalachian Mountain area. Here in Southeastern Wisconsin, they head north in the spring, with the promise to return in late September and October.

There are multiple subspecies of juncos with different color variations throughout their range.  However, the adults in this part of the country are easily identified by the following:

•  dark slate-colored head and chest
•  white belly
•  pale "pinkish" bill

Tichigan Lake, WI 2015

Juncos prefer to forage on the ground looking for dropped seeds.  I have had a great deal of success attracting juncos to the area around my fly-thru feeder mounted to my deck.  The junco (at left) was photographed resting during a snowstorm just inches from the feeder and deck.

Scattering seed on the ground or in a low dish or ground feeder is a great way to lure them in.  Juncos are fond of cracked corn and white proso millet, as well as black oil sunflower.  However, in order to discourage nuisance birds and sparrows, I fill my feeder with just Golden Safflower seed, and I have plenty of visitors.

Happy Birding!

Original Watercolor by Belinda Abendschein

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