Posted by: atowhee | June 18, 2021

POP QUIZ: HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW YOUR FLEDGLINGS?

Note the overall shape, the round head, the pale beak, no facial streaks, feeding on the ground. This is a beginning junco, still streaked and not showing the crisp plumage pattern of his parents. Abundant here in winter, the junco needs dense cover to nest on the ground safely, so they are less numerous in summer. Philippe Pessereau took these shots in his garden in McMinnville. He’s not far from some riparian woods where it is likely this kid was hatched.

My speculation n nesting juncos in the Valley–they may have lost breeding habitat to last year’s fires which would make food and nesting sites with good cover less available in mountains. They often nest at low elevation but good cover and a food supply are necessary.

Posted in birding, birds, McMinnville, migratory birds, natural history, nesting, oregon, Willamette Valley, Yamhill County | Tags: ,

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