According to Project Feeder Watch, one of the most common feeder birds at bird feeders in winter in the northern states is the Dark-eyed Junco, a sparrow type species that includes at least five forms that were once considered separate species. Of these, the form most commonly found in Michigan is the slate-colored junco. For many, the presence of this bird signals the beginning of winter.

Juncos are primarily ground feeders and are seen eating seeds considered spillage below feeders more often than on or in the feeders. At feeder areas they are often accompanied by American Tree Sparrows.

Fall migration occurs primarily in October while spring migration occurs for the most part from mid-March through April.

Juncos are from 5-6.5 inches in length. Both males and females have a light colored whitish-pinkish beak with dark feet but lighter pinkish legs. Juncos are primarily varying shades of gray above with varying shades of white on the undersides. Males tend to be slightly larger with their grayish upper plumage on their head, upper breast, and back, a darker gray sometimes to the point of appearing black.

Juncos signature identification feature beyond their simple almost drab plumage is their very pronounced white outer tail feathers that are almost always evident as they head for cover when alarmed or just taking precaution.

By ear, juncos are easily recognizable by a very distinctive abbreviated vocalization that is neither a click or a chip but similar to both. They emit the sound to warn their companions of potential danger. Their mating song, though somewhat like that of the chipping sparrow and/or the pine warbler, has a slight metallic quality like rustling tinsel that is reminiscent of the sound of the flow of water in a small streamlet or the rush of snowmelt down a hillside on a warm day in late winter or early spring.

Juncos are, for the most part, ground nesters rarely seen in Leelanu County in June, July, and August. There is no record of confirmed breeding pairs in the county so far. They are common breeders in the Upper Peninsula and in the north central counties of the lower peninsula. Singing males have been observed during the breeding season in Grand Traverse County in two of the past 9 years on the edges of stands of mixed oak and jack pine.

~Bob Carstens