by Carl Strang
We’ll soon say goodbye, for the summer, to our most familiar snowbirds, the dark-eyed juncos. Here are my notes on the species. This probably will also be the last dossier until next winter.
Junco, Dark-eyed
Dark-eyed junco
1986 initial summary: Juncos are common late fall, winter and early spring residents around Culver and West Lafayette, Indiana, south central Pennsylvania, and DuPage County, Illinois. They usually travel in flocks, and can be seen in any habitat. They have a follow-me signal in the form of white outer tail feathers that contrast with the dark central ones. They eat seeds, and feed almost exclusively on the ground or on elevated flat platforms in winter. The call note is 1 to 3 syllables (often 3): chi’-bi-dit’ (short I’s), very quick and chittering.
4OC86. First lone individual of fall, stayed around the Warrenville, Illinois, back yard for much of the day.
1987. Juncos still were present at Willowbrook on 6AP, and were singing by 16MR (trilling song), gone by 27AP.
24SE87. First juncos of fall have arrived, Morton Arboretum.
14MR88. Juncos maintain a constant chatter, foraging on and near ground, of minute twitters, trills, and complex combinations of soft notes, occasionally interacting more directly with little scuffles when one encroaches on another’s bit of feeding ground.
17MR88. Juncos singing a lot, Willowbrook Back 40.
20MR88. In east Meacham Grove, a large junco flock, as at Willowbrook very noisy with assorted twitterings, chasing, some singing. Birds were on the ground, in bushes and in trees.
21MR88. Willowbrook Back 40. Some juncos kick like fox sparrows, but not so loudly.
Spring 88. Flocks still present 30MR, gone by 5AP, a few individuals still present 8AP.
15OC88. First juncos of fall, at Red Oak Nature Center (near Batavia, IL).
Juncos most commonly are seen on the ground.
18NO88. Willowbrook Back 40. I was watching a flock of juncos and listening to birdlife in general when a sharp-shin flew over, north to south. There was silence from the time it came into view to the time it passed from view. The juncos remained absolutely still, their twitterings and flutterings resuming after the hawk was gone. That hawk must have a quiet view of the world, just as police see orderly traffic when in their patrol cars.
9MR89. Juncos starting to sing, Willowbrook.
21MR89. Willowbrook Back 40. Considerable social activity on this clear but very cool day, among juncos. Some vigorous chasing, and in one case two birds feeding on ground close together, in what seemed to be a synchronized way. They appeared to be male and female. Warming up for start of breeding season? (Have been singing off and on for weeks, now).
21OC89. First junco of fall seen at West DuPage Woods Forest Preserve.
24SE91. First junco of fall seen at Willowbrook.
19FE99. Juncos starting to insert bits of song into their calls.
11MR99. Junco song a trill, sometimes varying in speed and with small chirps sometimes added before or after. Trill a bit more musical than the call. This morning at Willowbrook there are many juncos on the preserve, especially along the creek north of the bridge. They are foraging mainly up in the trees, also singing and chasing one another.
17MR99. Today another wave of juncos at Willowbrook. Some are appearing in places where I haven’t seen them all winter, so I’m inclined to regard them as new birds, migrants drifting north. Very active, like those on the 11th.
11OC99. First junco arrived at Willowbrook.
29JA00. Juncos along with Brewer’s blackbirds and others are at Fermilab buffalo feeders picking up spillage.
5FE00. Juncos common along roadsides near Culver.
22FE00. Willowbrook. First junco songs of the year (2 individuals).
10MR00. Willowbrook. Juncos singing regularly now. Today one fed from an open silver maple flower cluster.
13AP00. Willowbrook. Several juncos still present, have been there daily.
9MR01. This is the first day I’ve observed both singing and much chasing and other play-territorial behavior by juncos this year. A couple singers earlier in the season. It’s a much colder spring than last year, and there have been fewer juncos on the Willowbrook preserve.
30AU01. Juncos are in small groups at Algonquin Park, Ontario, usually associated with hemlock groves.
5OC10. Mayslake. Heard the first juncos of the season.
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