Dark-eyed Junco

The Dark-eyed Junco, Junco hyemalis, is the best-known species of the juncos, a genus of small grayish American sparrows. This bird is common across much of temperate North America and in summer ranges far into the Arctic. It is a very variable species, much like the related Fox Sparrow , and its systematics is still not completely untangled.

The Dark-eyed Junco is classified as Least Concern. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.

dark-eyed juncos; see Pictures of Juncos for details. All junco species have white outer tail feathers, a black, gray or brown hood and a white lower chest, abdomen and undertail coverts. While both genders are similar, females tend to be paler and juvenile birds of all plumage variations are streaked. More

The Dark-eyed Junco, Junco hyemalis, is the best-known species of the juncos, a genus of small grayish American sparrows. This bird is common across much of temperate North America and in summer ranges far into the Arctic. It is a very variable species, much like the related Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca), and its systematics is still not completely untangled. More

* Species - Dark-eyed Junco - Junco hyemalis Dark-eyed Junco - Junco hyemalis * Dark-eyed Junco Global Rank: G5 State Rank: S5B Agency Status USFWS: none USFS: none BLM: none FWP Conservation Tier: 3 PIF: none General DescriptionMedium-sized songbird. More

The Dark-eyed Junco has a large range, spanning across Mexico, the United States and many island nations to which the bird is native, as well as many parts of Europe. This bird prefers forest and shrubland ecosystems, though it has been known to reside in rural gardens. The global population of this bird has not been determined or quantified, but it does not appear to meet population size or decline criteria that would necessitate inclusion on the IUCN Red List. More

As with many species of birds the taxonomy of the Dark-eyed Junco has changed significantly over time and the delineation of specific individuals to sub-species can be difficult. However, an appreciation of the gradient variation of the various sub-species - and associated species - gives significant clues about the process of speciation and is well worth the effort. Range of Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) (above) and Yellow-eyed Junco (Junco phaeonotus) (below). More

winter is on the way when you see the first dark-eyed juncos (this week's featured bird!) at your feeder. But have you seen them, or have you mistaken a junco for another bird? Juncos have a wide range of plumage variations, which we explore this week in a new photo gallery. And don't forget to put millet out on your tray feeders, as it's juncos' favorite food! Happy birding! This small sparrow has five distinct plumage1 variations and a wide range of hybrids that are all considered the same bird species. More

Dark-eyed Juncos are neat, even flashy little sparrows that flit about forest floors of the western mountains and Canada, then flood the rest of North America for winter. They’re easy to recognize by their crisp (though extremely variable) markings and the bright white tail feathers they habitually flash in flight. One of the most abundant forest birds of North America, you’ll see juncos on woodland walks as well as in flocks at your feeders or on the ground beneath them. More

The Dark-eyed Junco was first described by Linnaeus in his 1758 Systema naturae as Fringilla hyemalis. The description consisted merely of the laconic remark "F nigra, ventre albo. ("A black 'finch' with white belly"), a reference to a source, and a statement that it came from "America". More

The Dark-eyed Junco, Junco hyemalis, is the best-known species of junco, a genus of small American sparrows. Description: Adults are generally grey on top with a white belly. The white outer tail feathers flash distinctively in flight. The bill is usually pinkish. The males tend to have darker, more conspicuous markings than the female. More

Dark-eyed JuncoThe dark-eyed junco, Junco hyemalis, has several regional variations all very distinct looking. However all dark-eyed juncos share the same general features including a plain patterning, a dark to black hood, white outer tail feathers, a white belly, dark eyes, and pink legs and beaks. They are also approximately 14 to 16 cm in length and weigh around 18 to 30 g. Juncos of different sexes are similar but females are generally pale and browner in comparison to the males. More

North American RangeThe Dark-eyed Junco is commonly found in Washington in two forms, the Oregon and the Slate-colored. It is unclear whether other races of Dark-eyed Junco occur in the state. In Washington, the Oregon form is by far the more common. All forms in Washington have distinctive white outer tail feathers, white bellies, and pink bills. Oregon Juncos have dark hoods, which are bold black in males and gray in females and juveniles. They have rufous sides, brown backs, and gray wings. More

and Canada, the Dark-eyed Junco, sometimes called the "Snowbird," is one of the most familiar birds at North American bird feeders. It is also one of the most variable, with 15 subspecies in five distinguishable groups that differ from one another sufficiently in size, proportions, plumage, vocalizations, migration patterns, and ecology that they once were considered distinct species (Slate-colored, Oregon, Gray-headed, White-winged, and Guadalupe Juncos). It is abundant in the boreal forest during the breeding season. More

The dark-eyed junco is sometimes known as the "snowbird." It is found in Wisconsin in the colder months, but not in the summer. When these birds show up in the fall, you know that winter is not far behind. Juncos are small and easy to identify with their soot-colored upper bodies and flash of white in their tail as they fly. Juncos like to eat millet and cracked corn from feeders. Back to the Bird Poster . More

Dark-eyed Junco is a medium-sized songbird. Fr : Junco ardoisé All : Junko Esp : Junco Pizarrosso Ital : Junco occhiscuri Nd : Grijze Junco Sd : Mörkögd Junco Photographers : Tom Grey : Tom Grey's Bird Pictures Tom Merigan : Tom Merigan’s Photo Galleries Bob Moul : Nature Photography René Lortie : http://rlortie. More

Subspecies: There are five subspecies of Dark-eyed Junco, which were once considered separate species. These sub-species include the "Slate-colored," White-winged," "Oregon," "Pink-sided" and "Gray-headed" Dark-eyed Juncos. These different varieties all inter-breed where their ranges overlap (Perrins 321). Interesting Facts: The Dark-eyed Junco is observed at more birdfeeders in North America than any other species (Dark-eyed Junco Junco hyemalis, 4-5-98). High winds and snow storms do not keep this bird away. More

subspecies of Dark-eyed Junco, and deprives us of an opportunity to appreciate the many "faces" of this most familiar and confiding bird. Before we tackle the problematic Oregon Junco, let's look at a less common, but more startling example of a potential subspecies misidentification. This junco was banded by RRBO on 20 October 1998. More

The Dark-eyed Junco is a common winter visitor to many backyards. In some regions, this bird is resident year round, but in many regions of the US, their arrival signals the beginning of the winter season. Juncos prefer to feed on the ground, eating seeds of grasses and weeds. Twelve subspecies of Dark-eyed Juncos occur across North America (Pyle 1997). More

The Dark-eyed Junco commonly called snowbird, because of its sudden appearance around winter bird feeding stations, is a member of the sparrow family. In the beginning there were five different species, slate-colored, Oregon, white-winged, gray-headed. Now, all are re-classified as one species, the Dark-eyed Junco. Often the most abundant bird at the bird feeders but by mid-March for most of us East of the Rockies, this bird suddenly disappears. More