"phased like tilted moons
half shadow, half reflection
juncos cross the snow"
From The Cuckoo's Haiku
Michael J. Rosen
We have flocks of Dark Eyed Juncos in the yard this month-- also know as the Oregon Junco (Junco hyemalis.) The Oregon variety is the best-known species of junco, which is a large genus of American sparrows. Juncos are common across the western states and in the summer range into the Arctic. Junco looks vary according to location and despite all that birdwatching going on, junco family systematics haven't been untangled. (Biological systematics is the study of the diversification of life forms, and relationships among living things through time.)
Junco range map
Juncos are ground feeders, and when alarmed they instantly flock to nearby shrubs. The best way to attract birds like juncos is to leave a big messy pile under your bird feeder. After I threw the plum tree prunings to the ground, there were dozens of excited little birds in there all weekend. Mother Nature does not like her house all neat and tidy.
No comments:
Post a Comment