Dark-eyed Juncos in Nova Scotia

Dark-eyed Juncos live in Nova Scotia all year. Damp cold and wind chill; sheltered feeding stations and suet help small birds through storms. That makes the cold months the time your yard matters most to them: their winter diet shifts toward grass and weed seeds.

Maritime — cool summers, snowy but ocean-moderated winters, fog and wind along the coast.

Across Nova Scotia, 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 summers delay nesting compared with inland regions at similar latitude.

• 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.

Of the regional native plants we track for Nova Scotia, 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 Nova Scotia's winter: Damp cold and wind chill; sheltered feeding stations and suet help small birds through storms.

Full diet breakdown for juncos · Best feeder for juncos