Dark-eyed junco known as birds of the ground

By Stephanie Hughes

Ohio certified volunteer naturalist

The most common and recognized winter bird, eating on the ground, under most feeders, is the dark-eyed junco (Junco hyernalis).

It is common in wooded areas, hopping along the ground. They are known as birds of the ground.

This species in the sparrow family appears in our area when fall begins to turn colder, thus having a common name of snow sparrow.

These birds are common to most of North America, summering in Canada and the arctic.

Then, as days cool and shorten, they migrate south into our area in flocks of 15-30 which stake out their territory. They range in population up to 630 million.

The dark-eyed Junco is a medium-sized sparrow with a rounded head. Its body is coal gray with a white belly, though there is much variation within the species.

The gray color is quite stunning against a backdrop of snow, differentiating them from other small bird species. The outer white tail feathers flash as they fly. They have a long tail that is quite noticeable.

Males are darker than females, and females actually can appear brown.

The bill is stout, fairly long and is pale pink, another stunning feature.

There are five major groups in the 15 subspecies: slate-gray, white-winged, Oregon, pink-sided and gray-headed.

Snow sparrows inhabit brush, shrubs and pine areas of woodlands. They are active, acrobatic and sing habitually. They tend to hop or run along the ground when foraging for insects, grubs and seeds.

Spending summers north (up to the taiga), they begin their southern migration in large numbers. As they fly south they separate into small flocks that stay together with their own hierarchy.

They nest low to the ground in shrubs, pines and brush piles, or in the ground in a cuplike depression of 3-4 inches. They incubate two clutches per season, with eggs of pale blue-white, with heavily spotted brown, purple to gray shells.

Many studies have been done on this fascinating bird, but there is a saying that encapsulates our view of them: “Leaden skies above, snow birds below.”

To learn more about these birds, go to: http://go.osu.edu/junco.