The Dark-eyed Junco is a versatile and adaptable bird species that captivates birdwatchers across North America. This small sparrow is known for its distinctive appearance, with slate-gray plumage, white belly, and flashing white outer tail feathers[1][2]. While primarily a ground-foraging bird, the junco's agile flight and social behavior make it a fascinating subject of study[1].
During the breeding season, Dark-eyed Juncos inhabit a variety of forested environments, from sea level to elevations exceeding 11,000 feet[1]. Their diet consists mainly of seeds, with insects comprising about 25% of their year-round food intake[1]. Interestingly, juncos demonstrate a preference for millet over sunflower seeds at bird feeders[1].
The Dark-eyed Junco's nesting habits are equally intriguing. Females typically choose ground-level nest sites, often in depressions or niches on sloping terrain[1]. However, they occasionally construct nests in more elevated locations, such as horizontal branches or even human-made structures[1].
Despite their widespread presence, Dark-eyed Junco populations have experienced a gradual decline of about 0.7% per year between 1966 and 2019[1]. Nevertheless, with an estimated global breeding population of 220 million, they remain a species of low conservation concern[1].
The Dark-eyed Junco's arrival often signals the onset of winter in many regions, earning it the nickname "snowbird"[3]. Its melodious trill and social flocking behavior make it a welcome sight during the colder months, brightening both urban and rural landscapes across its range[2][4].
深色眼睛鵐是一種多才多藝且適應性強的鳥類，吸引著北美各地的觀鳥者。這種小型麻雀以其獨特的外表而聞名，擁有石板灰色的羽毛、白色的腹部和閃亮的白色外尾羽[1][2]。雖然主要在地面覓食，但深色眼睛鵐靈活的飛行能力和社交行為使其成為一個引人入勝的研究對象[1]。
在繁殖季節，深色眼睛鵐棲息在各種森林環境中，從海平面到超過11,000英尺的高度[1]。它們的飲食主要由種子組成，昆蟲約佔全年食物攝入量的25%[1]。有趣的是，在鳥類餵食器中，深色眼睛鵐更喜歡小米而非向日葵種子[1]。
深色眼睛鵐的築巢習慣同樣引人入勝。雌鳥通常選擇地面層的築巢地點，經常在斜坡地形的凹陷處或壁龕中[1]。然而，它們偶爾也會在較高的位置築巢，如水平的樹枝或甚至人造結構上[1]。
儘管分佈廣泛，但深色眼睛鵐的數量在1966年至2019年間每年緩慢下降約0.7%[1]。儘管如此，估計全球繁殖種群為2.2億，它們仍然是一個低度保育關注的物種[1]。
深色眼睛鵐的到來常常預示著許多地區冬季的來臨，因此贏得了"雪鳥"的暱稱[3]。它悅耳的鳴叫聲和群居行為使其成為寒冷月份裡受歡迎的景象，為其分佈範圍內的城市和鄉村景觀增添色彩[2][4]。
Citations:
[1] https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Dark-eyed_Junco/lifehistory
[2] https://www.birdweb.org/birdweb/bird/dark-eyed_junco
[3] https://www.massaudubon.org/nature-wildlife/birds/dark-eyed-juncos
[4] https://www.chicagobirder.org/blog/2020/11/19/dans-feathursday-feature-dark-eyed-junco
[5] https://www.borealbirds.org/bird/dark-eyed-junco
[6] https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/dark-eyed-junco
[7] https://www.natureswaybirds.com/blogs/news/bird-feature-dark-eyed-junco
