When do juncos migrate north

While the southward migration of Slate-colored Juncos is complete by early December, there is some evidence that indicates that harsh winter weather may spur some Juncos to move further south at anytime during the winter. Juncos have over 30 percent more feathers by weight in the winter than they do in summer. Juncos prefer to roost in evergreens at night but will also use tall grasses and brush piles.

They return to the same roost location repeatedly and will share it with other flock mates, but they do not huddle together. Partners in Flight currently estimates the North American population of Dark-eyed Juncos at approximately million, second only to the American Robin in overall population size in North America. A separate research paper estimates that the junco population could actually be as high as million. According to Project Feeder Watch, juncos are sighted at more feeding areas across North America than any other bird.

Notes: The species was first named by Carolus Linneaus in but was later revised by the scientific community. Allan, Thomas A. Bent, Arthur C. New York: Dover Publications. Ferree, Elise D. Holberton, Rebecca L. Nolan, V. Ketterson, D. Cristol, C. Rogers, E. Clotfelter, R. Titus, S. Schoech, and E. Latin: Spizella atrogularis. Latin: Setophaga caerulescens. Latin: Junco phaeonotus. Membership benefits include one year of Audubon magazine and the latest on birds and their habitats. Your support helps secure a future for birds at risk.

Our email newsletter shares the latest programs and initiatives. In winter over much of the continent, flocks of Juncos can be found around woodland edges and suburban yards, feeding on the ground, making ticking calls as they fly up into the bushes. East of the plains the Juncos are all gray and white, but in the West they come in various color patterns, with reddish-brown on the back or sides or both; some of these were once regarded as different species.

The forms have separate ranges in summer, but in winter several types may occur in the same flock in parts of the West. Photo gallery. Feeding Behavior Forages mostly while hopping and running on the ground. Eggs , rarely 6. Young Both parents feed the nestlings.

Diet Mostly seeds and insects. Nesting Male sings from high perch to defend nesting territory. Climate threats facing the Dark-eyed Junco Choose a temperature scenario below to see which threats will affect this species as warming increases.

Auk Blancher, P. Importance of Canada's boreal forest to landbirds. Ketterson, E. Nolan, Jr. The role of migration and winter mortality in the life history of a temperate-zone migrant, the Dark-eyed Junco, as determined from demographic analyses of winter populations.

Nolan, V. Ketterson, D. Cristol, C. Rogers, E. Clotfelter, R. Titus, S. Schoech, and E. Dark-eyed Junco Junco hyemalis. Poole and F. Gill, Eds.

Sauer, J. Hines, and J. National Audubon Society. Smith, K. Food, predation, and reproductive ecology of the Dark-eyed Junco in northern Utah.