Dark-eyed Junco, Junco hyemalis
Migration of the Dark-eyed Junco
Populations in the higher elevations move down
hill and south. Populations in milder areas usually stay there to
breed. Populations in northern areas move south to bread in
warmer areas of California or Mexico.
Habitat/ Plant community used by the
Dark-eyed Junco
 Alpine
Pinyon-juniper
woodlands
Riparian
Closed
Cone Pine Forest
Lodgepole
Pine Forest
Yellow
Pine Forest
Red
Fir forest
Mixed
Evergreen Forest
 Nesting
habitats of the Dark-eyed Junco
The Dark-eyed Junco generally nests on the
ground near cover. The nest is usually placed close to a source
of water.
Range of the Dark-eyed Junco
The Dark-eyed junco is found throughout
California excepting the high sierras in winter. Year round
populations at the base of the Sierras and along the coast In
northern California the year round population expands inland
above the central valley connecting to the sierra populations. In
winter the birds move into the valley and desert areas in
California that are avoided in winter. Also, many birds move up
into higher elevations of the sierras in summer.
Diet of the Dark-eyed Junco
 The
Dark-eyed Junco eats insects, spiders, and other small arthropods
as well as fruits and seeds. They usually obtain their food from
the ground.
How to attract the Dark-eyed Junco to your
garden
The Dark-eyed Junco likes open areas for
foraging with nearby forested or wooded area for cover. They
especially like alpine meadow for these habitat characteristics.
Cats are very detrimental to the Dark-eyed juncos way of life as
it both nests and forages on the ground.
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