{"id":16213,"date":"2025-12-04T21:56:44","date_gmt":"2025-12-04T21:56:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/?p=16213"},"modified":"2025-12-11T20:43:57","modified_gmt":"2025-12-11T20:43:57","slug":"how-to-help-juncos","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/en\/how-to-help-juncos\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Help Juncos"},"content":{"rendered":"

While Dark-eyed Juncos (Junco hyemalis<\/i>) aren\u2019t a species at-risk, they can always use a helping hand! They are one of North America\u2019s most abundant forest birds, often found in forest understories but will also visit bird feeders. They have a broad breeding range in Canada although they tend to stick to southern Canada as part of their winter range.<\/p>\n

To help these little sparrows, let\u2019s first look at their habitat. For breeding, they are commonly found in coniferous forests with species of pine, fir and spruce but will also use deciduous forests composed of hickory, oak, maple and aspen. In winter, they form flocks and can be found in fields, parks, along roadsides and in gardens.<\/p>\n

Also important to discuss is their diet. Throughout the year, 75 per cent of their diet is made up of seeds. Some of their preferred seeds come from plants, many of which we may find undesirable, such as crabgrass, lamb\u2019s quarters, buckwheat and chickweed. Insects including ants, moths, caterpillars, beetles and wasps are an important part of their diet during the breeding season. Berries are also eaten, although less frequently. They prefer to look for food on the ground. You may even see them scratching an area of snow to find seeds below.<\/p>\n

To help the Dark-eyed Juncos in your area:<\/p>\n

Provide them with a food source<\/b><\/h3>\n
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\u00a9Brenda Doherty | CWF Photo Club<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n