Juncos, often referred to as “snowbirds” due to their common wintertime appearance, are small, round birds with distinctive dark heads and white underbellies.
They bring a lively energy to any yard, especially during the winter months when their soft, chattering calls and foraging behavior can add a touch of life to an otherwise quiet landscape.
By providing the right food, shelter, and environment, you can make your yard a welcoming space for juncos. Here’s how to get started.
Offer Junco-Friendly Food
Juncos have specific dietary preferences, and providing the right foods will increase your chances of attracting them.
Millet and Cracked Corn: Juncos love small, round seeds like white millet and cracked corn. These seeds are easy for them to find and eat, and they can be scattered on the ground or placed in a ground tray feeder. Millet and cracked corn are also affordable and accessible options that can be added to a winter feeding mix.
Sunflower Seeds: Juncos enjoy sunflower seeds, especially when shelled, as this makes them easier to consume. You can place sunflower seeds in a platform feeder or scatter them on the ground, where juncos prefer to feed.
Thistle and Nyjer Seed: These tiny seeds are another favorite of juncos. Nyjer seed is high in oil content, providing energy that’s especially useful during cold winter months. You can offer thistle or nyjer seed in a ground tray or scatter it in sheltered areas of your yard.
Suet Crumbles for Winter Energy: During the colder months, juncos benefit from high-energy foods like suet. Offer suet crumbles in a low platform feeder, or mix them with other seeds to create a nutritious and attractive feeding spot.
Choose the Right Feeders
Juncos are ground feeders by nature, so choosing feeders that cater to their feeding style is essential.
Ground Feeding Trays: Since juncos typically forage on the ground, a ground feeding tray is a great way to attract them. Look for trays that are shallow and sturdy, and place them in an open area where juncos can hop around comfortably while they eat.
Platform Feeders: Platform feeders are versatile and can hold a variety of foods, making them ideal for offering sunflower seeds, millet, and suet crumbles. Place platform feeders near shrubs or under trees to give juncos easy access to both food and shelter.
Avoid Hanging Feeders: Juncos rarely visit hanging feeders, as they’re less comfortable feeding off the ground. To attract more juncos, focus on ground-level feeding options that mimic their natural foraging behavior.
Provide a Fresh Water Source
In addition to food, juncos need access to fresh water for drinking and bathing, especially during the winter when natural sources may freeze.
Shallow Birdbaths: A shallow birdbath is ideal for juncos, as they prefer shallow water that’s easy to access. Choose a birdbath that’s no more than 1–2 inches deep, so they can comfortably perch and drink. Place the birdbath near ground cover or shrubs for additional security.
Ground-Level Water Dish: Another option is to provide a simple dish of water at ground level, which juncos can easily find while foraging. Keep it in a sunny spot during winter to help prevent freezing, or use a heated birdbath to ensure consistent water availability.
Winter Water Solutions: During freezing weather, a heated birdbath or regular refilling can keep water available. Keeping water fresh and accessible makes your yard more inviting to juncos and other birds.
Create a Safe Feeding Environment
Juncos are small and cautious, so a safe environment will make them more comfortable visiting your yard.
Place Feeders Near Cover: Position your feeders near shrubs, bushes, or trees that provide a quick escape from predators. Dense shrubs also give juncos a place to rest and survey the area before approaching feeders.
Minimize Predators: If you have cats or know of outdoor cats in your neighborhood, try to keep them away from feeding areas. Juncos are ground feeders, making them more vulnerable to cats and other ground predators. Consider placing your feeders in an open area where juncos can see predators approaching.
Use Squirrel Baffles: Adding squirrel baffles to your feeder poles can prevent squirrels from reaching the food, keeping it safe for juncos and minimizing disturbances. Baffles also help deter larger animals from stealing the food intended for smaller birds.
Plant Junco-Friendly Vegetation
Natural vegetation provides juncos with food, shelter, and foraging spots, especially during the colder months when resources are scarce.
Include Dense Shrubs for Shelter: Dense shrubs like juniper, holly, and boxwood offer shelter and protection for juncos. These shrubs are perfect for providing cover from predators, as well as a place to rest and stay warm.
Create Ground Cover Areas: Low ground cover plants, such as ferns or ornamental grasses, create a sheltered environment for juncos to forage. These plants provide seeds and attract insects, which are important parts of a junco’s diet.
Add Seed-Producing Plants: Native plants like coneflowers and grasses produce seeds that juncos enjoy. Letting these plants go to seed in the fall will create natural feeding opportunities for juncos throughout the winter.
Provide Natural Nesting Materials and Ground Cover
Juncos appreciate a yard that offers natural cover and materials for roosting and foraging.
Leave Leaves and Pine Needles: Juncos often use leaves, pine needles, and other natural debris for foraging and roosting. Allow some leaves to remain on the ground to create a more natural environment that will attract juncos.
Allow Some Brush Piles: Brush piles provide shelter and a place for juncos to forage for insects. Consider leaving a small pile of branches or twigs in a corner of your yard, as it can become a valuable resource for birds in the winter.
Avoid Over-Trimming Shrubs and Ground Cover: Letting shrubs and ground cover grow a bit more naturally provides additional shelter and foraging areas for juncos. Leaving these areas a bit wild will make your yard more attractive to juncos and other small birds.
Create a Naturalized Area in Your Yard
Naturalized areas attract a variety of wildlife, and juncos are especially drawn to environments that mimic their natural habitat.
Designate a Wild Area: Let a small section of your yard remain unmanicured, with native grasses and wildflowers. This wild area will attract insects and provide seeds, making it a natural feeding area for juncos.
Offer Foraging Opportunities: A naturalized area provides seeds, insects, and shelter, creating a mini-ecosystem that attracts juncos. Allow plants like sunflowers and grasses to go to seed to give juncos more foraging opportunities.
Allow Seed Heads to Remain on Plants: Let flowers such as coneflowers and sunflowers go to seed in the fall. These seed heads provide a natural food source for juncos throughout the winter months.
Be Consistent with Feeding and Watering
Consistency is key when attracting juncos, especially during the winter months when they rely more on feeders.
Feed Regularly: Set a consistent feeding schedule so that juncos can learn when food is available. They’ll be more likely to return if they know they can count on your yard for a reliable food source.
Check Water Frequently: Ensure that your water source remains clean and fresh, especially during freezing weather. Regularly checking your birdbath or ground water dish will make your yard more inviting to juncos.
Provide Food Near Cover in Winter: In harsh winter weather, place feeders near sheltered areas, like under shrubs or near trees. This gives juncos a warmer and more protected area to feed.
Observe and Enjoy Junco Behavior
Juncos are delightful birds to watch, and their presence can bring a sense of peace and joy to your yard.
Watch for Their Foraging Habits: Juncos are often seen hopping and scratching on the ground as they search for seeds. Observing their behavior can help you understand their preferences and better cater to their needs.
Appreciate Their Social Behavior: During the winter months, juncos are often found in small flocks, foraging together and calling to one another. Take a moment to enjoy the lively atmosphere they bring to your yard.
Enjoy Their Distinctive Calls: Juncos have a soft, chattering call that can be a delightful addition to the winter soundscape. Listening for their calls can help you locate them in the yard, even if they’re hidden among the shrubs.
Conclusion
Attracting juncos to your yard involves providing the right food, shelter, and environment. By offering ground-level feeders, fresh water, and naturalized areas with dense shrubs and ground cover, you’ll create a welcoming space for these charming birds. With a bit of patience and consistent care, you can enjoy the presence of juncos throughout the winter months, adding life and beauty to your yard.