Dark-eyed Juncos in Ontario

Dark-eyed Juncos live in Ontario all year. Cold, snowy winters; feeder flocks are dominated by chickadees, nuthatches, woodpeckers and finches. That makes the cold months the time your yard matters most to them: their winter diet shifts toward grass and weed seeds.

Humid continental in the south, boreal and subarctic in the north; most backyard birding happens in the southern Great Lakes lowlands.

Across Ontario, 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.

Short, warm summers; Point Pelee and Long Point are continent-famous migration sites.

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

Of the regional native plants we track for Ontario, 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 Ontario's winter: Cold, snowy winters; feeder flocks are dominated by chickadees, nuthatches, woodpeckers and finches.

Full diet breakdown for juncos · Best feeder for juncos