Where in the World is the Dark Eyed Junco?

I see the comments on my articles The Budding Question of Buds and Spring is Coming. Everyone is anxious for spring to visibly arrive and for the snow to melt. But, how much longer is that? How will we know when the time for snow has past?

Here in S.W. Missouri there is no snow left on the ground. But does that mean it is gone for the season? The answer to that question may be found with the answer of another question. Where in the world is the Dark Eyed Junco?

Before winter snows arrive the appearance of the Dark Eyed Junco to my yard in inevitable. Within days of his arrival, I can count on the first snowfall of winter.

Does this mean that when the tiny gray bird migrates back to the north that he takes the snow with him? The short answer is, yes he does. Many people I know think of the American Robin as the first sign of spring. However, here in S.W. Missouri the Robin may over-winter in my yard. So, for me, it is the Dark Eyed Junco that tells the tale.

Yesterday, I started wondering if the little guy was still around, lurking in his habitat at the edge of the woods. He loves the conifers and tall grasses we let grow along the borders of our forest. He frequents the feeders we have in our yard. I often see a flock of juncos when I drive down my driveway in the winter months. Yet recently, I haven't noticed him in any of his usual hang-outs. Has he packed up and headed for Chicago? I heard they were bracing for another winter storm.

I decided a walk around my property was in order. I would solve the mystery and answer my questions. Since the flash floods have been so prominent, I haven't been driving much, so I haven't had a need to use my driveway. Are the juncos still using my driveway for a dust bath? As I strolled down my driveway, I didn't see any, basking in the warmth of the sun. They aren't coming to the feeders when I'm outside, so where are they?

I walked the edge of my woods. I knew there were tics out there, but I would not let that keep me from my quest. I could deal with that issue later. Rabbits scurried to and from various brush piles we have created for them. But there was no sign of the junco.

Maybe they were in the orchard. There is a row of White Pine lining the orchard and juncos do love the pines. The peaches and nectarines were budding, calling out for spring. I can't count on the buds of the fruit to tell me that the coldest weather has past. No, the fruit trees have not learned what I have learned; they will set buds only to be surprised by a hard freeze that steals their fruit away. They have not learned to watch the junco. The orchard did not reveal the junco. Could it be that the harsh weather and snow is over?

The swing set stood still in the playground. Even though it was a beautiful day, the children had other adventures to find, other places to explore, looking for their own signs of spring and warm weather. The junco was not in the playground.

What was that I saw flit out of the corner of my eye? There! There where we made a clearing for the pool last summer; there were the juncos enjoying their dust bath. Go away little junco. Come again after the long heat of the summer months call to me for a break in the heat. Come again little junco after I have enjoyed the beautiful colors that autumn brings to my forest. But for now pretty bird, go away!

The United Sates has two species of Dark Eyed Junco; the Slate-Colored Junco Junco hyemalis and the Oregon Junco J. oreganus. The Slate-Colored Junco is a small sparrowish sized bird of about six-inches. The male is slate colored on his back and wings and if the sunlight hits him just right you can see that his head is hooded even darker. When he flies, white tail feathers become apparent. With each flit of his tail in flight, the white feathers look like scissors cutting through the air. His underside is purest white, a striking contrast to his back and wings. The female is not as dark as the male and is sometimes confused with a sparrow. It is only after seeing her bright white underside or the scissor-like, flashing tail feathers that some can be certain they are looking at a junco.

We are blessed to have both species of junco here in S.W. Missouri. The Oregon Junco is not as dark in color on his back and wings, though his hood is very distinguishable. The Oregon Junco has the same bright white underside, but the white is edged with a creamy, tawny border.

To read more about what you can learn from birds, see my article Weather Predictors in my Trees.