Just started feeding birds this winter and this is my first post since joining the community. I'm sure I will be sharing more of my observations.
My backyard is loaded with Dark Eyed Juncos most every day. I also have 3 or 4 Spotted Towhees as daily visitors. The Towhees usually keep to themselves but very occasionally mix in with the Juncos to eat the loose seed I throw on the patio or the seeds dropped to the ground from my bin feeder.
The Towhees commonly hop 'n scratch or as Sibley writes "double scratch". Even when it seems to serve no useful purpose like on my concrete patio. On the other hand I never see the Juncos hop or scratch. Unless there is a Towhee close at hand that is doing the hop 'n scratch. Then one or two of the Juncos will be hopping right along with the Towhee! After the Towhee leaves the Junco(s) may hop one or two more times. And then I will never see another hopping Junco until the next time a Towhee is feeding amongst them. 3
My backyard is loaded with Dark Eyed Juncos most every day. I also have 3 or 4 Spotted Towhees as daily visitors. The Towhees usually keep to themselves but very occasionally mix in with the Juncos to eat the loose seed I throw on the patio or the seeds dropped to the ground from my bin feeder.
The Towhees commonly hop 'n scratch or as Sibley writes "double scratch". Even when it seems to serve no useful purpose like on my concrete patio. On the other hand I never see the Juncos hop or scratch. Unless there is a Towhee close at hand that is doing the hop 'n scratch. Then one or two of the Juncos will be hopping right along with the Towhee! After the Towhee leaves the Junco(s) may hop one or two more times. And then I will never see another hopping Junco until the next time a Towhee is feeding amongst them. 3
