Dark-eyed Junco eating Staghorn Sumac seeds at Lake Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin on January 26, 2019

One of my birding stops this morning was Lake Park in Milwaukee, about the only place that there were birds seen and that was slim. The highlight if you can believe it was a Dark-eyed Junco, but it was doing something I had never witnessed before. It was eating Staghorn Sumac seeds off a plant there. Could be common thing, I just have never seen it. It was brief but I did get a couple of shots of the event to share. Other birds near the feeder by the statue that was full of seed were White-breasted Nuthatches, Black-capped Chickadees, more Dark-eyed Juncos and Red-bellied and Downy Woodpeckers. Along the lakefront things were pretty much froze up except for an area just off North Point. There were a few Common Goldeneye, Greater Scaup and Bufflehead. I saw ONE Gull along the lakefront flying far off in a distance. My short birding run along the lake was Lake Park south to South Shore Yacht Club where 20 Canada Geese were loafing on the ice. Note: It amazes me how many bird species use the native Staghorn Sumac plant for either berries-fruit or seed. It was a bitter cold morning as when I got on the road it was -10 F. Winds were calm so it was not to bad out there. Images were taken on January 26, 2019.

Dark-eyed Junco eating a Staghorn Sumac seed.

Dark-eyed Junco picking a Staghorn Sumac seed off the plant.

Just being a Dark-eyed Junco

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Window to Wildlife features the photography of Jim Edlhuber. A lifelong native of Wisconsin, Jim has been photographing wildlife for 20 years. He considers himself an avid photographer and is always trying to capture nature and wildlife through his lens. He is in several photography clubs and has won numerous awards for his work. In recent years, Jim has focused mostly on birding photography and finds it to be the most challenging.

5 Responses to Dark-eyed Junco eating Staghorn Sumac seeds at Lake Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin on January 26, 2019

  1. Kathi Johnson Rock says:

    Very interesting behavior and great photos Jim!!

  2. Joan Schrinner says:

    Nice colors with the bird and the sumac!

  3. Wendy Kubokawa-Wells says:

    Pretty little birds. Bet you and the birds will be in keeping warm this week.

  4. Nan Wisherd says:

    Nice photos, Jim.

  5. Jim you make even small, common subjects look wonderful.

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