The dark-eyed junco is a small songbird found across much of North America. They are sparrow-like birds with dark gray or slate-colored plumage on their back and heads, and white bellies. The most distinctive feature of the dark-eyed junco is the white outer tail feathers that flash conspicuously when they fly. There are several subspecies of dark-eyed juncos that vary slightly in coloration and range. The slate-colored junco is the most widespread and the subspecies most likely to be encountered in Ontario. Dark-eyed juncos breed predominantly in coniferous forests across Canada and the western United States. During winter, they migrate south and can be found throughout most of the continental U.S. Juncos are often seen foraging on the ground in small flocks and are a common sight at backyard bird feeders. But are dark-eyed juncos found in the province of Ontario?
Breeding Range and Habitat
Dark-eyed juncos breed in Canada from Alaska across to Newfoundland and Labrador, and south throughout the western mountains. They are common breeders in the boreal coniferous forests of Ontario, particularly in the northern and central regions of the province. Their breeding habitat consists of mature conifer forests, especially spruce, fir, pine, and hemlock. Juncos nest on the ground, often at the base of a tree or shrub. They build an open cup nest out of grasses, moss, rootlets, and pine needles. The female lays 3-6 eggs and incubates them for 11-13 days. Both parents help feed and care for the young. Juncos require large contiguous forest habitat for successful breeding. Fragmentation and loss of boreal forest due to human activities such as logging and development have caused junco populations to decline in parts of their range.
Winter Range and Habitat
In winter, dark-eyed juncos migrate from their breeding grounds in Canada and the western U.S. to areas throughout the lower 48 states. Winter range depends on the subspecies. Slate-colored juncos, the kind most likely seen in Ontario, winter predominantly in the eastern half of the U.S. from the Great Plains eastward. Some slate-colored juncos remain year-round in southern parts of the breeding range in the Appalachian Mountains and northern New England. During winter, juncos frequent backyards, parks, open woodlands, agricultural fields, and forest edges. They forage on the ground, often in small flocks, feeding on spilled grain from agricultural fields and seeds from weeds and grasses. Juncos will also visit platform bird feeders for various seeds. Access to cover and roosting sites, such as dense coniferous trees and shrubs, is important habitat in winter. Heavy snow cover can impact their ability to access food.
Range and Habitat in Ontario
So are dark-eyed juncos found in the province of Ontario? The answer is yes, dark-eyed juncos can be found throughout Ontario during different times of the year. Here is more detail on their status in Ontario:
Breeding
Dark-eyed juncos breed across much of northern and central Ontario in suitable coniferous forest habitat. The Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas, a comprehensive survey from 2001-2005, confirmed probable or confirmed breeding in regions north of Lake Superior and Lake Huron, as well as central regions such as Algonquin Provincial Park. They are found in lower densities breeding south toward Lake Ontario. Highest densities occur in the Hudson Bay Lowlands and along the James Bay and Hudson Bay coasts. Slate-colored is the subspecies breeding in Ontario.
Wintering
Dark-eyed juncos are also found throughout Ontario as winter residents. They arrive in October and remain until April when they migrate back north to breeding grounds. Winter range covers most of southern Ontario south of the Canadian Shield. Highest winter densities are found in southwestern regions in the Carolinian zone. But they can be found throughout suburban and rural areas of southern Ontario, as well as in northern cities such as Thunder Bay. Numbers increase during winter as juncos from farther north migrate down into the province. Good winter habitat like backyard birdfeeders and woodland edges make Ontario an attractive wintering area.
Migration
Juncos pass through all of Ontario during spring and fall migration on their way between breeding and wintering grounds. They tend to follow lakes and river valleys during migration. Numbers peak in May during spring migration and October through November during fall migration. Migrating flocks mix with wintering and breeding birds during these times.
Identification
Identifying dark-eyed juncos is straightforward year-round in Ontario. Here are some tips:
Size and Shape
– About 6 inches in length, similar in size to a House Sparrow
– Plump, round-bodied with a short, conical bill
– Often perches upright
Plumage
– Slate-gray head, back, wings, and tail
– White underparts
– White outer tail feathers that flash in flight
– Females are slightly brownish above
– Juveniles have streaked underparts
Behavior
– Forages on the ground in small flocks
– Hops and scratches to uncover seeds
– Feeds on spilled grain and seeds in open areas
– Roosts in conifers at night and when snow is heavy
– Visits platform feeders for seeds
Common Calls and Songs
Dark-eyed juncos have several distinct vocalizations to listen for:
– Tsip – A sharp, high-pitched call, often given in flight. Functions as a contact call.
– Tsit-tsit-tsit – A scolding call given when alarmed or while mobbing predators.
– Song – A musical, loud, and complex warbling of trills, buzzes, and whistles. Sung repetitively from an exposed perch to attract a mate and defend territory.
Attracting Juncos to Your Backyard
Dark-eyed juncos are common and reliable visitors to backyard bird feeders across Ontario. Here are some tips to attract them:
– Offer a variety of black oil sunflower seeds, nyjer seeds, and mixed seeds in platform feeders at ground level or low heights. They prefer to feed on the ground or low.
– Ensure easy access by clearing snow and placing feeders near cover like trees or shrubs.
– Provide natural shelter such as evergreen trees and shrubs for roosting.
– Allow access to spilled grains from your feeders as they prefer to scratch and forage.
– Add a suet feeder for energy-rich food in winter.
– Supply grit like sand or pebbles to aid digestion.
– Offer fresh water for drinking and bathing. Installing a small fountain, mister, or bird bath heater can prevent freezing in winter.
– Reduce threats from predators like cats by placing feeders in open settings and pruning shrubs where cats might hide.
Fun Facts
Here are some interesting facts about dark-eyed juncos:
– The white outer tail feathers that flash as they fly act as signals to keep flocks together while migrating.
– Nestlings can tolerate temperatures as low as -4°F thanks to dense insulating feathers.
– Their heart rate drops from 500 beats per minute to 200 beats per minute while roosting at night to conserve energy.
– Groups of juncos have complex social structures, with males defending distinct territories within the larger flock home range.
– Young juncos help defend the nest and care for hatchlings while parents focus on finding enough food for the brood.
– Juncos peel spruce bark off trees to get at larvae and other insects underneath, sometimes causing tree damage.
Conservation Status
Overall, dark-eyed junco populations remain healthy and abundant across their range. However, slate-colored juncos have declined by an estimated 29% between 1970 and 2014, according to the North American Breeding Bird Survey. Habitat loss on the breeding grounds due to increased development and logging pressure may contribute to declines. Climate change could also impact populations in the future by disrupting migration and breeding cycles. The IUCN Red List categorizes the slate-colored junco as a species of Least Concern. They are protected in the U.S. and Canada by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act which prohibits harming or harassing the birds. Providing adequate habitat and reducing threats on both the breeding and wintering grounds can help conserve junco populations.
Conclusion
In conclusion, dark-eyed juncos are indeed found across the province of Ontario. They breed in coniferous forests of the north and winter across southern Ontario and even into northern cities. Slate-colored juncos are the subspecies most likely to be encountered. Juncos can be attracted to backyards by providing platform feeders stocked with appropriate seeds and by giving them roosting habitat. Their populations face some threats from habitat loss but remain common overall. Seeing a dark-eyed junco on its breeding grounds or hopping in the snow is a sure sign of the changing seasons for many Ontario residents.
