Dark-eyed Juncos in Maine
When juncos are present in Maine, when they nest, which native Maine plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 3b–6b yard.
- Status in Maine
- Year-round resident
- Nesting window
- June–July
- Broods
- 1–3 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3b–6b
When to expect juncos in Maine
Dark-eyed Juncos live in Maine all year. Long, snowy winters; boreal finches and Pine Grosbeaks irrupt south in poor cone years. That makes the cold months the time your yard matters most to them: their winter diet shifts toward grass and weed seeds.
Humid continental with a long, rocky Atlantic coast and extensive northern spruce-fir forest.
Nesting in Maine
Across Maine, 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.
Cool, short summers; many songbirds do not begin nesting until late May.
- Dark-eyed Juncos don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as paper birch, sugar maple, red maple for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.
Native Maine plants that attract juncos
Of the regional native plants we track for Maine, these 8 provide food or cover juncos use:
Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.
Prolific seed heads for finches and sparrows.
Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.
Native bunchgrass; winter seed and ground cover for sparrows and juncos.
Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.
Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.
Hosts hundreds of caterpillar species; spring flowers draw early insects.
Among the first spring bloomers; early insects for returning migrants.
Feeding juncos through the Maine year
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 Maine's winter: Long, snowy winters; boreal finches and Pine Grosbeaks irrupt south in poor cone years.
Frequently asked
Are juncos in Maine year-round?
Yes. Dark-eyed Juncos are year-round residents in Maine.
When do juncos nest in Maine?
Nesting in Maine typically runs June–July, with 1–3 per season. Clutches are 3–5 eggs, incubated for 11–13 days.
What native plants attract juncos in Maine?
Wild bergamot, Black-eyed Susan, New England aster, Little bluestem, Tall goldenrod, Paper birch, Sugar maple, Red maple are native plants in Maine that provide food or cover for juncos.
Dark-eyed Juncos in other regions
Other backyard birds in Maine
Sources
- Dark-eyed Junco — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Dark-eyed Junco life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Dark-eyed Junco — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Maine
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
- Audubon Native Plants Database
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.