Dark-eyed Junco

This medium size sparrow is Ridgefield’s “Herald of Winter”.  Flocks of them arrive in our area in mid-October and stay until spring has reclaimed the land.  The rest of the time, they live a more solitary life in the northern coniferous or mixed coniferous-deciduous forest where they breed and raise their young.  There are at least 5 different types of Dark-eyed Juncos.  In our area, most are the Slate-colored race.  They’re easy to recognize by their dark gray plumage that contrasts with its white lower breast, belly and tail feathers which they plump and flash in flight.  The females tend to be a duller color but still display that burst of white in flight.  A ground loving bird, they forage by hopping instead of walking while pecking and flicking about the forest leaf litter or gleaming seeds off low lying branches.  They even build their nests on or close to the ground.  The female picks the site and takes 3 – 7 days to weave her nest shaping it with her body.   There she will lay her 3-6 eggs which hatch in about 11–13 days.  After intense feeding by both adults, the hatchlings will fledge in about 9 – 13 days.  Depending on food availability, this whole process might be repeated up to 3 times during the summertime breeding season.  Juncos are primarily seed eaters but they do supplement their diet with insects during the breeding season.  They are one of the most abundant birds at our wintertime feeders.  They will feed on any type, be it a platform or hanging onto a perch or just gleaming scattered seeds on the ground.  During a storm, it is very common to see them hunkered down in the snow under your deck or landscaping shrubs.  For more information about them visit:  http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/dark-eyed_junco/id