Suddenly, this morning, a flock of migrating Dark-eyed Juncos appeared in the buffer at the edge of the pond. These sparrows,
Junco hyemalis, nest north of here across Canada and Alaska. As they hunt among the grasses, each flicks its tails so we can see the white feathers flashing. Dressed in rather dull gray, the bright white tail feathers seem to be their only adornments for courting a mate. According to
allaboutbirds.org, females seem to prefer males that show more white.
