Find out what Project FeederWatch is, its history, and more
Find out how you FeederWatch, when you can FeederWatch, and what you'll need to do to get started
Review these instructions carefully before you count and enter data
Find out about types of feeders and types of foods, and where to place your feeder
Feeding Birds FAQs
Explore the winter distribution, food, and feeder preferences of common feeder birds.
Find out about color and plumage variations, bald heads, and deformed bills
Unusual Birds Gallery
Find out about bird disease and identifying the signs of bird disease
Sick Birds Gallery
Find out how to identify birds and download identification tools
Learn how to help birds as they seek out food sources, nesting habitat, protection, and more
Find educational resources for teachers, group leaders, and families
Find an article archive packed with lots of great bird study information
Learn about house finch eye disease
Review content from current and past BirdSpotter photo contests
Keep up to date with the latest FeederWatch happenings
These are exemplary FeederWatchers!
Send us your photos! Show us your count site, your birds, or you watching your site with loved ones!
Visit our live FeederWatch feedercams!
Cornell Lab of Ornithology feeders
Ontario (winter only)
See what birds occur the most by region
Explore species by state/province
See where FeederWatchers are
Graphs of regional population trends and distributions
Explore papers that have used FeederWatch data
Lab scientists analyze the data submitted by FeederWatch participants.
See birds well outside their winter range submitted to Project FeederWatch.
Start here for data entry and personal data review and exploration
Keep live track of your counts using the FeederWatch mobile app
Bob Vuxinic
Crossville, TN, USA
Sparrows & Cardinals
Tag:
Female Dark-eyed Junco gets a treat from a tray feeder
Are DE Juncos getting Rare? I can’t believe it!! They used to flock to my feeders between 2000 and 2010 in Chicago, on the south side lakefront. After that, we left our big backyard (and house). I can’t believe they are rare- they’re shyer birds (like Cardinals), so perhaps they just aren’t seen.
I live in Boston, now. We want to add plants to draw in birds. What should we put down for the cardinals and juncos? They are some of my favorite birds. Also, in Boston, we have heard reports of Goldfinches from teh Arnold Arboretum (we’re a half mile away). The goldfinches don’t make it to the nyger seed I’ve put out. Where should I hang the feeder? I don’t want to just feed sparrows….
Hi Elizabeth. Dark-eyed Juncos are not a rare species, however many birds have certain habitat requirements. If your new property is more urban than your previous property, that could be a factor into why you are seeing less juncos. Keep in mind, in both cities, juncos are usually only seen in winter, and on migration. However, it’s possible that it was more likely for you to see flocks of migrating juncos along the lakefront, rather than in the city of Boston. In any case, you can try attracting them to your yard with native plants and by providing the right kinds of bird seed. House Sparrows unfortunately will eat almost any seed, but we have some tips on how to deter them in our 2018-2019 Winter Bird Highlights (page 4). You can also use our Common Feeder Birds tool to view what each kind of bird species prefers for bird seed. For example, nyjer seed will attract both juncos and goldfinches, as well as sunflower seed.
I’ve have a female junco at my feeder in central Vermont I also have goldfinch, cardinals (male and female) a flicker, rosefinch, house sparrows and mourning doves. I find a good mixed seed like kaytee fruit and nut or kaytee backyard birds is best for attract ing a variety of species. Don’t buy the cheap supermarket stuff. Get it at a hardware store or Walmart
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Comment *
Name *
Email *
Website
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.