Aerie Fowl: Dark-eyed Junco

The Dark-eyed Junco was formerly called the Slate-colored Junco. It comes in a few different shades or phases but the slate-colored one is the most common around here. There are different species of juncos all across North America but all are about the same in size" small, sparrow-like with a long tail. The Dark-eyed Junco is also sometimes referred to as the snow bird because it allegedly migrates from the north woods in the fall just as the snow appears. Some older bird guides will tell you they are not to be found around this latitude in the summer, but I've seen them all year long in the hedgerows along the edge of pastures and the weeds adjacent to dirt roads and tracks.

They are ground nesters and will use the cover of any fallen leaves, weed clumps, or trees roots to hide their nests. They also prefer to feed on the ground or trays and seldom try to get a seed from any of the hanging feeders.

Their pink bill and legs look absolutely frigid as they forage atop the snow. When they fly their tail fans out to show two long white feathers on each edge. Male and female look alike.

Dark-eyed Junco