The best bird feeder and seed for juncos
Ground feeders that scratch under feeders for spilled seed. Scatter white millet on a tray near cover; juncos rarely use hanging feeders.
Which feeder types do juncos use?
| Feeder | Holds | Squirrels | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground tray | Millet, cracked corn | None | A low mesh tray a few inches off the ground keeps seed out of wet soil. |
| Platform or tray feeder | Anything | None at all | Draws the widest range of species, including ground feeders. Needs a mesh floor for drainage and daily cleanup. |
Feeders juncos use, budget to premium
Prices move constantly; the button shows the current figure.
What seed do juncos like best?
| Food | Why | Storage |
|---|---|---|
| White proso millet | The best of the small grains, but also a favourite of non-native house sparrows and cowbirds. Offer it on a tray, not in a hanging feeder. | Keeps well |
| Sunflower hearts and chips | Costs more per pound but nothing is wasted as shell weight, and nothing sprouts under the feeder. The best choice over a patio or deck. | Spoils faster; buy what you use in a few weeks |
| Cracked corn | Offer only what disappears in a day. Wet, mouldy corn is dangerous to birds. Also attracts house sparrows, blackbirds and geese. | Keep dry; wet corn grows aflatoxin mould |
| Nyjer (thistle) | Not related to thistle despite the name. Imported nyjer is heat-treated so it does not sprout. Needs a feeder with tiny ports or mesh or it pours out. | Goes stale in weeks; buy small bags |
Food to buy for juncos
Prices move constantly; the button shows the current figure.
Where and when should you feed juncos?
- Height and spot: Ground level.
- When: Winter visitors across most of the US ("snowbirds").
- Range: Winter nearly everywhere; breeds in the North and the mountains.
- Feeding style: Comfortable feeding on the ground or a low tray, so clear spilled seed and keep cats away.
The same setup also brings cardinals, blue jays, house finches, bluebirds and wrens, which use the same feeder types.
Feeders for other birds
Cardinals · Blue Jays · Goldfinches · House Finches · Chickadees · Titmice · Nuthatches · Woodpeckers · Bluebirds · Wrens · Orioles · Hummingbirds · Mourning Doves · Native Sparrows · Towhees · Grosbeaks · Robins · Mockingbirds · Pine Siskins · Purple Finches · Redpolls · Keeping starlings and grackles away · Red-bellied Woodpeckers · Downy Woodpeckers · Cedar Waxwings · Quail
Get the juncos feeding checklist
Feeder, seed, height and cleaning schedule for juncos on one printable page.
Used only to send the checklist.Frequently asked questions
What is the best bird feeder for juncos?
A ground tray is the most reliable choice for juncos. Ground feeders that scratch under feeders for spilled seed. Pair it with white proso millet, place it ground level, and keep it clean every two weeks. A second feeder type such as a platform or tray feeder widens the appeal without adding much work.
What do juncos eat at feeders?
In order of preference: white proso millet, sunflower hearts and chips, cracked corn and nyjer (thistle). The best of the small grains, but also a favourite of non-native house sparrows and cowbirds. Offer it on a tray, not in a hanging feeder. Offer one food per feeder rather than a mix, so birds are not flicking unwanted grains onto the ground to get at the one they want.
Where should I put a feeder for juncos?
Ground level. Keep it within 3 feet of a window or beyond 30 feet to avoid collisions, at least 10 feet from anything a squirrel can jump from, and 10 to 12 feet from dense shrubs so juncos can reach cover without cats being able to ambush them.
When do juncos come to feeders?
Winter visitors across most of the US ("snowbirds"). Range: Winter nearly everywhere; breeds in the North and the mountains. Keep feeders stocked and clean through the season juncos are present in your area, since a feeder that is empty for several days is often abandoned for a neighbour's.
Do juncos use birdhouses?
No. Juncos build open nests in shrubs, trees or on the ground and do not use enclosed nest boxes. Dense native shrubs, brush piles and leaving leaf litter in place do far more for them than any structure.