Backyard Birds

Is There a Snowbird?

Art by Ms. Addison Potts, 6th grade

To avoid the cold winter months some folks head south for the winter. We often refer to these folks as snowbirds. While some birds may also head for a warmer climate, there is one with the nickname of “Snowbird”. This is the “Dark-eyed Junco’’. The name “Dark-eyed Junco” may not be commonly known, but it can be easily seen near your backyard seed feeder.

The Dark-eyed Junco spends its breeding season across Canada to Alaska. During the non-breeding season, this gray and white little puff ball comes down into our backyards for the winter. Personally, I wouldn’t consider our neck of the woods all that warm in the winter, but obviously it’s a dang sight warmer than spending winter in Canada. So, is our winter warm enough for them? Juncos will grow a down coat for the winter, giving them the additional warmth they need. This extra down makes them 30% heavier in the winter months due to the way they puff up with that extra layer of down. The Dark-eyed Junco is in the sparrow family with six variations of this bird depending on its region. The one in our backyard is the slate-colored variety. The slate-colored Junco is evenly marked with a nonstreaked slate-gray head, back, and breast with a white belly.

Feeding only from the ground, their favorite seed, millet, is often found on the ground below bird feeders. The seeds get kicked out by other birds but the Snowbird’s conical bill with slightly pink sides is great for cracking the millet seeds.

Living long for small birds in the wild, the oldest one on record was caught during a banding operation and had been previously tagged 11 years and four months prior. Raising one to three broods per nesting season, with three to six eggs laid each year keeps the Dark-eyed Junco in excellent conservation status. Their current conservation status stands at least concern. Being widespread across most of the continent, their last estimate was at 220 million.

With their population in good standing, you will most likely see them hanging about the areas under your seed feeders. On a snowy day, their silhouettes will pop against the snow-covered ground like lumps of puffy charcoal briquettes.

Once spring arrives, they will be returning to their breeding ground, so don’t miss your chance to enjoy the snowbird.