Dark-eyed Juncos are familiar sights in many backyards, especially as winter approaches. These small, widespread birds, often called “snowbirds,” signal the changing seasons for many bird enthusiasts. Understanding their diet is helpful for those who wish to observe and support these adaptable visitors.
Natural Dietary Staples
The primary components of a junco’s natural diet consist of seeds and insects. Seeds form a significant portion of their year-round intake, particularly small seeds from grasses and various weeds. They frequently consume seeds from plants like chickweed, ragweed, knotweed, pigweed, lamb’s quarters, and crabgrass. These birds are well-adapted to finding such tiny seeds.
Insects and other arthropods also contribute to their diet, especially during warmer months. Juncos feed on various insects, including caterpillars, beetles, grasshoppers, true bugs, and spiders. While seeds make up about three-quarters of their annual diet, insects can be a larger percentage at specific times.
Seasonal Diet Variations
A junco’s diet shifts throughout the year, adapting to seasonal availability and energy requirements. During spring and summer, their breeding season, insects become a more substantial part of their diet. This increased insect consumption provides the protein and fat needed for raising young, as nestlings are primarily fed insects for optimal growth.
As fall progresses into winter, insects become scarce, and juncos transition to a predominantly seed-based diet. They rely on seeds of various weeds and grasses, which are more readily available in colder months. This dietary change helps them meet their metabolic needs to stay warm during winter.
Foraging Techniques
Juncos are primarily ground feeders, hopping and running to find food. They often forage under dense vegetation, in leaf litter, or beneath bird feeders. They peck at the ground or scratch through debris to uncover hidden seeds and insects.
A distinctive foraging method is the “kick-scratch” or “double-scratch.” This involves a rapid backward kick with both feet, dislodging the top layer of material like leaves or snow to reveal food. They then hop forward to access any newly exposed morsels. Juncos also “ride” tall grass stems, using their weight to bend them to the ground and pluck seeds.
Feeding Juncos in Your Garden
Attracting juncos to your garden is achievable by offering preferred foods appropriately. White proso millet is a favorite food, often preferred over sunflower seeds. Cracked black oil sunflower seeds are also suitable, as juncos lack large beaks for shelled varieties, though they will eat dropped fragments. Nyjer seeds can also be offered.
As ground-feeding birds, juncos prefer low-lying feeders like platform feeders or open trays. Scattering seeds directly on the ground, especially under existing feeders, also attracts them effectively. Placing feeders in open areas, not dense foliage, helps them feel more secure. Providing a shallow water source, like a bird bath, also makes your garden more appealing.