Biotic Communities

The state I live in is also the state that I chose for my area of interest. I am a true Arizonan, born and raised in the desert to move to Flagstaff when I was 12 and been here ever since. Northern Arizona, Arizona for that matter, is filled with so many beautiful and amazing biotic communities. According to Google Earth, the area I live in, FOREST 122.3: PETRAN MONTANE CONIFER FOREST. I chose this because it’s my home town, figured I knew a thing or two about it. In the wintertime I often see this little bird around my place of work so I decided I’d look for the type it was, because I’ve never seen it anywhere else. The Dark-eyed Junco or Junco hyemalis can be found around woodland edges and suburban yards, feeding on the ground, making ticking calls as they fly up into the bushes. This little bird forages mostly while hopping and running on the ground. They eat mostly seeds and insects. Close to half of summer diet of adults consists of insects, including caterpillars, beetles, grasshoppers, true bugs, and others, also spiders. They feed heavily on seeds of weeds and grasses, especially in the winter. They live in conifer and mixed woods. I find them a lot in the bushes near my work. I’m sure I’m no the only one who’s found this little guy around.

Work Cited : 

"Guide to North American Birds" http://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/dark-eyed-junco