Although they are numerous in winter, ground feeders are overlooked and underappreciated. Ironically, ground-loving birds are fascinating and easy to attract. The snowy days of January offer the perfect opportunity to observe these birds.

Despite the fact that there are feeders designed for them, ground-dwelling species prefer to kick or scratch in the leaves and snow for food. They just don't take to conventional feeders; however, they can be accommodated by constructing a simple lean-to shelter.

Beneath the shelter, where the ground may remain free of accumulating snow, liberally spread a generous layer of small seeds. White proso millet is best, but cracked corn, chick feed, sunflower chips and black oil sunflower work well, too. For larger species try corn and various nuts.

One of the most overlooked ground feeders is the white-throated sparrow. You will know them by their brown backed plumage and black and white striped head with tiny yellow lore. Interestingly, ornithologists have not overlooked these sparrows, but instead have studied them closely because they display a rare genetically based polymorphism. If you look closely you will notice white-throated sparrows have two color phases.

Where I camp each summer, in northern Vermont, the spruce forests and clear cuts ring loud with the song of this wilderness bird. Today, in the long shadows of the distant January sun, white-throated sparrows remain mostly silent, and we here in Connecticut will associate the bird with winter.

Now we only hear their "seet, seet" call notes as the snow silently falls. Yet, on some warm April day the sweet song of the white-throated sparrow will again fill the dusk and its melody will speak of the far north. There, they sing clear with a wavering plaintive proclamation, "Oh Canada, Canada, Canada." You can hear them everywhere in the willows and spruce that line the streams, meadows and moose bogs where they nest.

Another ground feeder from the north is the less common fox sparrow. Fox sparrows migrate from Ontario and eastern Canada to winter in the southeastern United States; they will sometimes settle down in Connecticut. They look a bit like song sparrows, but when you see one you will know it by its large size.

Dark-eyed juncos are never given a second look despite their interesting behavior. Males dominate females, and older birds dominate the juveniles. Look for tail fanning and face-to-face confrontations. In our region, males can be distinguished by their darker color. Like white-throated sparrows, the junco is very vocal during the breeding season, trilling before the last star fades at dawn and stopping only after the first star appears at dusk.

The morning dove is by far the most underappreciated of the bunch. Formerly a southern game bird they are now an abundant ground feeder everywhere. Similarly, the bobwhite is also a game bird frequenting ground feeders. Bobwhites are rare in Connecticut except in New London County where there are a few.

The deeper the snow gets the easier it will be to entice dozens of white-throated sparrows, dark-eyed juncos and morning doves to wherever the ground is kept clear. You might even attract a fox sparrow or northern bobwhite. So don't fret the next time you spill feed, because the ground birds are counting on it.

Robert Tougias is a Colchester birding author. He is available for color presentations and will take your questions at rtougias@snet.net.