Backyard Birds – Dark-eyed Junco Visits

Attracting backyard birds is a fun and interesting hobby.  I ‘ve had new visitors at my feeder recently, the Dark-eye Junco.  These backyard birds are also known as “snow birds”.  We had about 8 inches of snow, and they appeared on que.  They are beautiful birds, a grayish black with a white belly.  Some look almost coal black with a white belly.  They prefer colder climates, which explains why they have suddenly appeared at my feeder now that it has snowed.  Today, lets discuss how to attract Dark-eyed Junco to your backyard.

 

 

dark eyed junco

The Dark-eyed Junco visits backyard feeders in the winter, but breed in forests across Canada, the western U.S., and in the Appalachians.  I recently added a tube feeder to my feeding station, my tree, because the platform feeder holds the snow.  However, the Dark-eye Junco actually prefers the platform feeder.  They are called snow birds because they love the snow.  So, forging for seed buried under the snow in the platform feeder doesn’t seem to faze them.

They have interesting habits too.  I’ve seen them lay in the snow covered platform feeder and just chill.  Or, you will find them scouring the snow covered ground for dropped seed.

                                     Dark-eyed Junco
So, if you want to attract these entertaining birds to your backyard feeder, use a platform feeder.   and fill it with millet, bread crumbs, cracked corn or hulled sunflower seeds.  Platform feeders need to be emptied and clean more often than tubes or other feeders.  Why, because they are open to the elements.  Make sure the seed is fresh rather than wet and moldy.  I try to add fresh seed at least twice a week to my platform feeder.
Dark Eyed Junco
Furthermore, Dark-Eyed Junco like bread crumbs.  However, not just any bread is acceptable.  Make sure it is multi-grain.  Just like us, birds need to consume healthy foods.  As a result, rather than throw out the end of my multi-grain loaf that everyone refuses to eat and other pieces that are getting old,  I save them for the birds.  I stick them in the freezer.  I toast a slice and spread peanut butter on it.  The birds love it.
attracting Dark Eyed Juncos
Another trick to draw Dark-Eyed Juncos to your feeder is to spread birdseed on the ground.  Use a mix of black oil sunflower seeds mixed with cracked corn.  To avoid rodents or unwanted animals, limit the amount of seed that you spread on the ground.  I’m looking forward to watching my new visitors frolicking in our fresh snow.

 

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