DARK-EYED JUNCOS - Fun Facts about their Winter Habits
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- Опубліковано 22 сер 2024
- Dark-eyed juncos are very widespread and common, found throughout the entire Continent from Alaska to Mexico, California to New York, and from one end of Canada to the other.
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I just ordered a hoodie from your website! Thanks!
Such an awesome channel with great information and a soothing voice. Thank you!
@@altube01 Thankyou so much
@@apophisxo4480 :) Glad you enjoyed
Just ordered the Blue Jay mug - we have 3 mated pairs of Jays, so it'll be perfect for a cup of coffee as we watch them stop by for a peanut from our tray feeder every day!
Your videos helped us attract them by the way :)
My grandmother (who was born in Northern Virginia in 1892) told me that it was not simply the arrival of snowbirds that told us winter was upon us, but if you counted the number of small groups of snowbirds visiting your farm after 1st snowfall, then you could predict how harsh the winter. A low count of birdies meant a mild winter with light snowfall and high count meant a winter with numerous heavy snow falls. She said she learned this from her grandmother and it was quite accurate. :)
Who doesn't love juncos? They're easy to identify and even have a fun name.
Love the name Junco! (It reminds me of a Japanese girl's name, Junko.)
Jennifer - My cousin's girlfriend doesn't.
Found your video on these cute little birds. We have them around our place, along with cardinals and an occasional bluejay.
I live in an area that has three different regional varieties and they look so different that it took me forever to figure out they were the same species. I still love them though!
A friend of mine said they’re also called milk birds because they look like they were.😊
"Gone away is the bluebird. Here to stay is a new bird." I always thought that line from the song referred to juncos.
Aren’t bluebirds non-migratory, though?
@@LightYagami-xl1wz Not our western and mountain bluebirds! They definitely migrate.
We call their little digging dance the "junco jig" it's the cutest thing!
That’s adorable 🥰
Thank you for this useful information! It helped me identify these cute birds on my feeder:)
Hey always remind me of the toy wind-up chickies with their two footed hop.
Chantal - No you don't.
Ha!! I'm going to use that ty
In a colossal blunder, we sold our farm in SW Wisconsin to move to a west coast city. I truly miss winters, largely because of birds, tracks through the snow, and the awakening, wholesome quiet. Thanks again, Lesley, your work is excellent.
Oof..you couldn't pay me to do that. Hope it works out for ya though
I don't think I would ever miss winters
The flock that comes to my backyard in NJ are fed everyday. They give me so much pleasure to observe their nervous little hopping back and forth.
Also in NJ, never a lonely day with these guys always around :)
Same here! NJ has the best backyard birds!
Yes NJ here too!... my little junco comes along with the sparrows to eat during the day, they're all so cute hopping around!
NJ here too! I throw seed out on my roof and they all dive in. So cute❣️
Lesley, I cannot express in words how happy your videos make me. Whenever I'm feeling down watching your videos is like therapy for me. I love birds so much. Thank you. The photography is so gorgeous too.
These are some of my favorite visitors! I love how they let the bigger birds do a lot of the work. Woodpeckers and starlings hit the suet feeders and knock a lot onto the ground and these little fellows take full advantage. They don't take any guff from any other birds trying to take their food and really are adorable with their little big bird attitude. When I know is coming I set up a "birdie buffet" under a patio table and they know they can always find something for them there.
I love to hear them twittering. Often I will open the door a crack and just stand there for a while and listen. It’s such a gentle sound.
Hey Sue 👋, My daughter bought me a speaker that has a small microphone and you put it outside, mine is by my feeders on deck, it allows the bird sounds to be inside, I enjoy it so very much, I had to share with you ❤️
@@icgreener Thank you! I’ve heard of that - it sounds like a great idea! I’ll have to look into it.
@@icgreener - THAT is a great idea.
Sue - They're trying to lure you out far enough so that they can attack.
@@jonhohensee3258 😊
The nickname my mom and I gave these guys is "scratchy birds." We love watching them scratch in the snow.
to sweet, I like it
All of the sparrows in my yard do the same thing, I call it the hippity hop :)
That is neat to hear. I didn't know the Dark Eyed Junco until this year. I appreciate videos such as these.
Miss Lesley,, THANK you foe the big job in filming The Snow Birds! Beautiful birds. Learnt a lot and hope I run into them one day. Thanks again to you and your mom. We watch birds a lot.Beautiful passtime and so relaxing and fun. Happy New Year!
End
I saw them as diging in dirt ☺️
*These guys clean up my deck, everything the Ravens and Gray Jays drop...these guys are hard at work picking up all the small bits of food the big birds drop..they are so cool*
My Juncos clean-up after the chickadees and nuthatches. Those little birds just swott the feed away until they see one they want.
Their little voices are so cute and soothing.
My mother called them Milk Birds because she thought they looked like they'd just been belly deep in a saucer of milk. One of my favorite birds. Happy New Year!
That's hilarious!
Happy new year 👍
Cute name!
How cute!!!
Milk Birds lol
to cute
I noticed that the Juncos have a hard time trying to grab onto the suet cage, and hanging on to the bird feeder. I put seed on the ground for them, they seemed much happier! They are such unassuming little cuties 😄
Squirrel: Wait a minute! I thought that food on the ground was for *_me_* 😂💭🐿️🥜
@Frank I put out a lot of black oil sunflower seed and in that bag I mix a bag of the greatest variety and a bag of mourning dove seed, and of course 🥜. I have to get the morning dove seed on Amazon. I think they like the mourning dove seed.
@Frank www.amazon.com/dp/B004477ASK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_hsr8jD5uKTmW1
smile.amazon.com/dp/B0002ARVN2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_5CO8FbSSGWXK4?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Better if you can get it locally and support a local business, but at least you can see the name of each of these products. Wagner's greatest variety and the mourning dove food.
Frank put a flat tray feeder they might like that. Black oil sunflower seed
@Frank Sunflower meaties have no shell to leave a mess. We have always bought them because the dollars spent go to actual food for the birds. All the birds that come are happy to eat sunflower meaties. No waste! Last year and this I've mixed in safflower seed.
Wonderful little birds to Help pass the Long Wisconsin winters 😊
I love juncos. Also, just wanted you to know how fascinated my cat was watching this video. She slowly stepped closer and closer to the screen until her nose nearly touched the screen. She did not quit watching until the video was over. Beautiful videos and great info provided by you.
I DON'T BELIEVE IT! I've been seeing these birds all the time lately, and despite my research, I couldn't figure out what kind they were. & now, you've swooped in & settled my curiosity! I love these little guys, thank you!
In southern Michigan we only see these guys in the winter, but in the winter they’re EVERYWHERE! I love them. ❤️ So cute!
They're early this year, spotted the first couple near the end of October.
From eastern Iowa: we have more juncos this year than we have had in the previous five winters we have lived here. A flock of about fifty keeps me busy providing food. They take no guff from squirrels or other birds. I have taken to crumbling suet blocks onto the ground for them, which they seem to enjoy.
Juncos have always been one of my favourite birds! I love watching them jump around on the ground looking for seeds!
I already liked juncos (once I learned what they were a few years ago) but now I know more about them thanks to Leslie! Much appreciated.
I have always loved these rotund, grey cuties 🥰
Cardinals and jays take off from birdfeeder when they sense me coming to the window, juncos jump onto windowsill and stare at me until I refill the feeder! 😂😂😆
My 23 month old grandson loves watching the birds at his feeder. He can say “Junco and chickadee and titmouse”. I learn so much from your videos Leslie and really enjoy watching. Thanks so much💓
I truly missed these precious little creatures. This morning they appeared. Tells me winter will be coming. But they'll bring me cheer during the dreaded long winter months to come.❤
Everytime it snows, the junkos come to my deck and play in the snow! They are so fun to watch.
Love those little birdies, and I remember the first time I saw them and learned what they were. I was standing at the kitchen sink and the ground seemed to be moving, but it was all these little birds! Precious little things.
2:55 I call it the Junco Shuffle. I feed them thistle seed on my deck which often gets quickly buried in snow. They use the shuffle to uncover the seed. I can watch 'em for hours.
Enjoying the little flock that frequents our yard in NJ. My daughter discovered that they were Juncos, so I was pleasantly surprised (but not entirely since Big Brother listens in on every conversation through our Alexa) to see this come up in my feed. My son thought I said, "Chunkos" so he calls them that. LOL Enjoyed hearing more details about this beautiful bird. Thank you!
Definitely a pecking order towards each other at feeders..,yet completely at ease with other species..never any squabbling.
My mother always called them snow birds and enjoyed watching them at the feeders. This video reminded me of her. Thank you so much and Happy New Year!
You are very welcome and same to you
your mother kindly 😘😍😙
I've always had a fondness for the juncos, but now more so. Thank you, Lesley!
My love for Juncos comes from my mother”s love of birds, and these cute little bundles of joy greeting us on snowy days
I love these sweet little birds. They show up in my yard every winter. My sister and her daughter both had the nest at their houses last summer.
We recently had a snowstorm here in Pennsylvania, with a couple of feet of snow...junco after junco after junco...I couldn't count them there were so many and yes, hung around until the snow was gone. I saw a few here and there until we had a light snow fall last night...voila! There they all were! They are 100% adorable and both my husband and I love them! Happy New Year Lesley!!
We get a LOT of juncos and also woodpeckers! The downy and red-bellied woodpeckers love the suet
same to you, and thanks for sharing your story
@@jim9930 Chester County here! Happy New Year!🎊
Lebanon County here
the grandkids got some snow here in Bucks
Also, I learned a few years ago that I've been listening to their calls literally my entire life. They're the background music of a lot of North America. Little beings can have a big impact on the world!
I discovered these juncos on my patio and newly placed feeder. I LOVE watching them. Last heavy snowfall I scattered feed onto patio and would see up to a dozen ! They bring me smiles. I am so glad to have them.
Yup these little Dark-eyed juncos suddenly appeared when it got cold here in New Hampshire...they have a hard time perching on the platform feeder and the Nyjer seed feeder, so they mainly stay on the ground, but I enjoy watching them...
I love my little juncos!
I saw my first one in Houston this past winter.
My 2 favorite birds are the snow birds and chickadees. I have loved them both since childhood. Have always had feeders and a source of fresh water. I never get tired of watching these sweet little birds. Thank you for sharing this video 🩷
Thank you Leslie. I know you retired, but I still enjoy your work.
We’re in central California, the Junco’s return to our yard between late October to early November and then by April they return home. Beautiful creatures!
Southern California mountains here, we have them year round.
@Julie just like human snowbirds
What a delightful vid to start the year with.
Thank you, Lesley. This was a lovely video highlighting the sweet Junco birds. I see them here in Central Oklahoma during the Winter. I provide front and backyard feeders (6 seed + 1 suet) for the birds. One cold morning, I discovered it had snowed overnight. It was still dark out, but I put on my coat, boots and trudged out to fill the feeders! The birds need their fuel! :-)
We had never seen a Dark-Eyed Junco in our backyard until we got a pretty substantial snow for our area. Such a nice treat to see them in our back yard for the first time on Christmas Day!
One thing is for sure, they really love Millet!
These little cuties outcompete invasives at my feeder.
Hi, Lesley. I find it so amazing here in south central Nebraska, that these sweet Juncos always seem to miraculously appear with the first snowfall. I can almost set my calendar by them. Love these little ones! Thanks for all the information you provide to us bird lovers!
I never tire of seeing cute little juncos during the winter!
My juncos are back! They came when it started getting colder. I’m from western Michigan. They leave when it gets warmer.
P Jumet
I look forward to seeing these energetic little guys each fall here in Pa. I see them even before our first snow comes. They keep busy looking for seeds, bugs and whatever else they can find on the ground. They usually stay until the end of March or beginning of April, depending on the kind of winter we have had
I love the juncos we see here in Oregon. Along the rural coast where we don't see much snow they are always around in strong numbers, yet they are relatively quiet and unassuming. After the Stellar's jays, they are the most common sight at my wildlife feeders, followed closely by chipmunks, song sparrows, and spotted towhees.
This is amazing. I have often noticed in the winter, during a snow storm, the feeders are exceptionally busy. Who knew? You described it well. Although, I can’t capture all of the birds on video, I try to listen and see what birds I can recognize. I know it’s not spring here in MN but when it snows, the activity is so great it reminds me of spring with all of the regulars and passing birds reaching their final destination. A perfect harmony. 🎶
I love seeing these cute little one's hop around as the chickadees dart about. I am blessed to have a decent sized flock of the Oregon variety come by for the 3rd winter now. I have counted 23 last year. Have not counted this year's flock.
They show up on my house on the northern Chesapeake around late October . The like to roost up in my line of arborvitae, I’ve always ground fed them along with having stuff in the feeder . They are my favorite winter bird , they always signal the beginning of my favorite season. I love winter .
This is my first winter with a bird feeder. I haven’t seen Junos yet, until the first big snowstorm of the area. Right on cue, there they were.
Juncos are the most entertaining as far as their behaviour. Their kicking habit and hopping is so cute. And I too, have not been able to capture a fully opened tail fan in flight - they’re simply too fast. Love these birds! Thanks for another great video.
Enjoy your videos. Interesting that they migrate at night. 30% more feathers, over winter, that’s interesting.
I didn't know that some travel farther than others during the year. Thanks for your reading about juncos, so crisp in appearance!
Although I've heard of them my whole life I've only properly identified them this year. Not in any great number. They are om the ground beneath my feeder occasionally, not minding the squirrels, eating what those sloppy cardinals have spilled. I really like them.
I never knew their real name (until now), but I've always called them the Winter Birds because I've only ever seen them in the winter. I would say, Ah, the Winter Birds are here...it's officially winter. NOW I know their real name!
As usual, a fascinating video, Lesley - thanks. Juncos are already snow-dancing in our backyard - that means the spring is here!
I'm in Oregon, and have the dark headed ones year round...I didn't know they were called Oregon Juncos...I thought all Dark-eyed Juncos looked like mine in my "Birds of Oregon" book! I was surprised to see your slate colored ones! I learn so much from you! Love your videos, and Happy New Year to you too Lesley!
They are really pretty birds. I wish I had them here.
Very cool thanks for sharing. Happy new year to you as well
I have the Oregon variety also. It was nice to hear that they usually return to the same 10 acre area each year. We have them mostly year ‘round. They are here on the worst of the sleet days and all the while when it was over 90f for 6 weeks straight this past summer. A few will spend time at the glass door with our cat each day.
Yeah at first I was also confused why I didn't recognize them as much in the video/somehow they felt "off" from what I remembered, and didn't feel familiar to me, even though they're the most common birds I see feeding in my garden. I really like the patterns on the Oregon one, in particular the dark head.
Thanks, Lesley, for the wonderful video. These birds are so beautiful! The slate-colored ones get here (near Chicago) about the middle of October and stay through the first week or so of March. I love listening to their songs and calls and watching them play. My favorite moments: three times now I've witnessed a dark-eyed junco having a duet with a robin, the junco singing and the robin calling. Don't know why birds of two different species would perform a duet with each other, but it's way cool.
I've learned so much from you Lesley.
I have about 40-60 in my backyard. They aren't afraid of me.
When I call them they come and they come to the back deck door. It's such a joy.
I greet mine every morning too. They're so active and fun!
Thank you! A benefit of the stay at home days has been spending more time, as a novice birder, getting to know the birds in my neighborhood. And juncos among them. Had noted their showing up following snow, although sometimes see them other times. Helpful to have a better understanding of them.
We have dark eyed juncos year round up here on the mountain as well, but this winter in particular we've seen so many of the Oregon juncos. They're so cute. They're so pretty and some are so dark and soft that they look like velvet.
Love their little pink beaks!
I'm always happy to witness the Juncos' return in colder weather. They're such sweet and industrious little creatures, but in truth I love all the birds! :)
I hope all bird lovers will check out "The Nightingale" by my dear departed friend Richard Adams. It's a touching little tale about how the birds got their colors. 💖xx
I live in Mass, and have always loved the juncos. I don't see them in my backyard until usually November, just before the snows. I miss them when they leave in springtime. Loved your video and all the close-ups of the snowbirds. Thank you.
I have slate colored Juncos in my front tree where I have a suet feeder. There are also a family of Carolina wrens that seem to keep watch while the juncos eat on the ground. If the wrens see me, they chrp and all flutter away.
Another delightful video, Lesley! We love our juncos - feeding them for the last 30 years here in rural Maryland.
They are part of the feathered gang on my deck.
What do you usually feed them? We got a cold-snap and of course the juncos showed up. Love these little guys and gals. Lesley's the best, don't ya think?
@@halftastic They absolutely love millet, I specifically buy them a big bag of organic millet out of our Bulk Barn( human store, for some reason cheaper to buy than millet specifically packaged for birds)
We only feed black oil sunflower. Occasionally, I put out suet. I’ve tried other mixes, and thistle in the past, but the black oil sunflower seems to attract the largest bird numbers for us. One problem with sunflower is the shells is a toxin that inhibits plant growth. I learned about it after more than a decade of feeding birds. I finally raked up several wheelbarrows of seeds & hauled them away & plan to do that every other year.
Omg 😳 I’ve had so many of these little dears and couldn’t figure out what kind of bird they were! Thank you 🙏. They are so sweet 💝
This is my first winter feeding and I am enjoying my Junkoes tremendously. I was happy to see this video and learn more about them. I tend to stare out the window at all the birds that visit and narrate their activities in a weird voice.
Happy New Year! I have them at my feeder everyday here in the north west suburbs of Minneapolis, Minnesota. 😊
Same to you!
I love the juncos! I always put a lot of seed on the ground just for them, besides the seed I have in the feeders.
How elegant they are! It's as if they are wearing a tux with a pink bow-tie.
I have been feeding birds for about 8 months now and today was the first time I have ever seen one of these cuties. He even continued foraging as I sat out on my back step, I couldn't help but watch him as he was just so darn cute. Thank you for the information it's always nice to learn about the new guy in town. Bonus.. I also seen a Northern Flicker today for the first time as well. Stunning bird
We enjoy when our dark eyed juncos come back to our feeder. They’re a delight to watch! Happy New Year!
I have seen them briefly in spring and fall in Maine, always on the ground eating the scraps from the finches eating at the feeder.
I love Juncos. They're very cute and energetic and fun to watch. They are enough to make you love winter. I love to watch the snow fall, and watch the Juncos in the snow. They really are snow birds, more than any other species I've seen. I'm retired now, so it's fun to watch these little snowbirds.
Going back to watch previous episodes. Thank you for leaving us with fun and informative videos. Your work will still be appreciated.
Love juncos. Fun seeing them fly with the white tail feathers showing.
Here in Tucson, Arizona Dark-eyed juncos are visiting my yard everyday so far this winter. No snow here now in this desert haha! Usually, during the summer, they are up in the pines in the Catalina Mountains above Tucson. Thanks for your fun informative video!
One showed up in the past week where I put seed out for my birdies.. I noticed him immediately and don't you know we had a major snow storm here on the east coast after that! 🥰❤️
I love watching the juncos in the Winter. I usually throw cracked corn for them under the bushes.
So that's what they are! I have seen more on my deck this winter and didn't know what they were called. It snowed today and they were the birds feeding while the jays, house sparrows, grackles, and doves left with the first flakes. Thanks for the information.
Saw these little guys a few weeks after our first major snowfall in Upstate NY. They love my feeder.
Thanks for letting us know about the juncos. I have had few at my feeder at my forest cabin, this year but plenty of nuthatches and chickadees.In other years the juncos have been plentiful. I put out black sunflower seed, suet, peanuts and mixed bird seed. I do enjoy your videos and your enthusiasm.
Ah, how pretty. They remind me of the birds we get in SE Australia in winter. I mean, COMPLETELY different but niche-wise, still just as beautiful
Delightful, thank you. I was curious about the little Junco at my feeder and how they manage to survive the harsh Winters here in Maine. Keep up the good work.
I noticed them this year and they are amazing little birds and they do love sunflower seeds. At one point today there had to be 20 or so at the feeder
Seeing these little birds in winter always makes me happy. They are true favorites!
They made nest in the geraniums pot on my deck last July . We enjoyed so much watching them having 4 cute babies. They grow so fast ! It took them just 2 weeks to grow and fly away. I hope they will return next summer.
Thank you for the video !
They are quite abundant in my NJ backyard. It seems one day they all just show up for winter and all leave at the same time in the spring.
My favorite bird! They receive lots of nourishment from me. I do highly recommend water sources to compliment their food intake. Thank you Lesley, wishing you a wonderful year ahead👍
How do you stop water from freezing ?
I fill a bowel semi buried in soil with warm water. The soil underneath helps delay freezing for a while. It seems seems they do not need water constantly, just access once in a while throughout the daylight hours. Refresh as needed👍
@@marktullis1175 thank you sooo much !!
I really like that they seem to have designated feeding times; breakfast, lunch and dinner. I could spend hours watching them. Thanks for the video!
In early elementary school we we introduced to these charming little avians. Their name remained, so even after a few decades of low to no exposure they of late have resurfaced in my winters and have been a pleasure to watch and share with others.
I love these little birds..they look like they're wearing tuxedos
Love Juncos, they always seem to be together in flocks, thanks Lesley :)
Just love, love, love seeing my Junco’s. I suffer from depression and anxiety and have a birdfeeder station right outside my window. I really enjoy watching them and they always calm me down and makes me feel better. Love the Juncos they’re so adorable they are my absolute favorite bird, they bring me so much joy I enjoy watching them immensely.