Dark-eyed Juncos in Alberta

Dark-eyed Juncos live in Alberta all year. Cold winters broken by chinook thaws in the south. That makes the cold months the time your yard matters most to them: their winter diet shifts toward grass and weed seeds.

Continental — prairie in the southeast, aspen parkland in the center, boreal forest in the north and the Rockies in the west.

Across Alberta, juncos typically nest from June–July. Nest site: cup on the ground, hidden under roots, banks or overhangs. Females lay 3–5 eggs, incubate for 11–13 days, and young leave the nest after 9–13 days.

Warm, sunny summers with long days.

• Dark-eyed Juncos don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as paper birch, rabbitbrush, willow (bebb) for nest sites.
• Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.

Of the regional native plants we track for Alberta, these 8 provide food or cover juncos use:

Juncos are 'snowbirds' — they feed on the ground beneath feeders and are a sure sign winter has arrived in the south.

• Best foods: White proso millet, Hulled sunflower, Cracked corn.
• In Alberta's winter: Cold winters broken by chinook thaws in the south.

Full diet breakdown for juncos · Best feeder for juncos