Dark-eyed Junco | ||||||||||||||
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Scientific Classification | ||||||||||||||
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Binomial name | ||||||||||||||
Junco hyemalis |
The Dark-eyed Junco, Junco hyemalis, is a small sparrow.
Adults are generally grey on top with a white belly and white outer tail feathers. The bill is usually pinkish. There are several regional variations:
- The Slate-colored Junco has a dark slate grey head, breast and upper parts. Females are brownish grey. It is found in North America east of the central plains; it is relatively common in its range.
- The White-winged Junco has a grey head, breast and upper parts with white wing bars. Females are brownish grey. It is found in the mid-western United States and is relatively rare.
- The Oregon Junco is found on the Pacific coast from Alaska to California. It has a dark grey head and breast with a brown back and wings. This is the most common form in the west.
- The Gray-headed Junco is found in the southern Rocky Mountains. It is mainly grey on top with a rusty back.
- The Pink-sided Junco has a grey head and breast, with a brown back and wings. It has pinkish-brown flanks. It is found in the northern Rocky Mountains from Canada to the northern United States.
Northern birds migrate further south; many populations are permanent residents. Slate-coloured Junco is a rare vagrant to western Europe and has wintered in Great Britain, usually in a domestic garden.
These birds forage on the ground. In winter, they often forage in flocks. They mainly eat insects and seeds.
The song is a trill similar to the Chipping Sparrow.