Wyoming · Year-round resident

Dark-eyed Juncos in Wyoming

When juncos are present in Wyoming, when they nest, which native Wyoming plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 3a–5b yard.

New World sparrows (Passerellidae)Dark-eyed JuncoJunco hyemalis

Status in Wyoming: Year-round resident
Nesting window: June–July
Broods: 1–3 per season
Hardiness zones: USDA 3a–5b

When to expect juncos in Wyoming

Dark-eyed Juncos live in Wyoming all year. Cold, very windy winters. That makes the cold months the time your yard matters most to them: their winter diet shifts toward grass and weed seeds.

Semi-arid high plains and basins with major mountain ranges; most towns lie above 5,000 ft.

Nesting in Wyoming

Across Wyoming, 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 with cool nights.

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

Native Wyoming plants that attract juncos

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

Wild bergamot

Monarda fistulosa · Perennial

Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.

Black-eyed Susan

Rudbeckia hirta · Perennial

Prolific seed heads for finches and sparrows.

Common sunflower

Helianthus annuus · Perennial

Annual native sunflower — the original feeder seed.

New England aster

Symphyotrichum novae-angliae · Perennial

Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.

Little bluestem

Schizachyrium scoparium · Perennial

Native bunchgrass; winter seed and ground cover for sparrows and juncos.

Tall goldenrod

Solidago altissima · Perennial

Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.

Rocky Mountain bee plant

Cleome serrulata · Perennial

Nectar-rich in summer, seed for finches in fall.

Rabbitbrush

Ericameria nauseosa · Shrub

Late-season bloom supports insects; seed for sparrows.

Feeding juncos through the Wyoming 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 Wyoming's winter: Cold, very windy winters.

Full diet breakdown for juncos · Best feeder for juncos

Frequently asked

Are juncos in Wyoming year-round?

Yes. Dark-eyed Juncos are year-round residents in Wyoming.

When do juncos nest in Wyoming?

Nesting in Wyoming 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 Wyoming?

Wild bergamot, Black-eyed Susan, Common sunflower, New England aster, Little bluestem, Tall goldenrod, Rocky Mountain bee plant, Rabbitbrush are native plants in Wyoming that provide food or cover for juncos.

Other backyard birds in Wyoming

Black-capped Chickadee Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker American Goldfinch White-breasted Nuthatch House Wren Blue Jay House Finch Mourning Dove American Robin Song Sparrow Chipping Sparrow Northern Flicker Red-headed Woodpecker Red-breasted Nuthatch Brown Creeper Common Grackle Red-winged Blackbird Evening Grosbeak Pine Siskin Common Redpoll Gray Catbird Brown Thrasher Cedar Waxwing Tree Swallow Barn Swallow Yellow-rumped Warbler Eastern Screech-Owl Eastern Kingbird American Tree Sparrow House Sparrow European Starling Steller's Jay Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay Black-billed Magpie Canada Jay Mountain Chickadee Bushtit Juniper Titmouse Pygmy Nuthatch Black-chinned Hummingbird Broad-tailed Hummingbird Lesser Goldfinch Cassin's Finch Spotted Towhee Mountain Bluebird Say's Phoebe White-crowned Sparrow Fox Sparrow Violet-green Swallow Black-headed Grosbeak Lazuli Bunting Bullock's Oriole Eurasian Collared-Dove

Sources

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.