Dark-eyed junco
Junco hyemalis
Identification Tips:
- Length: 5.25-6 inches
- Pink, conical bill
- White outer tail feathers
- Considerable geographic variation in plumage
- Various forms were formerly considered separate species
"White-winged junco":
- Medium gray head, breast and upperparts
- White belly
- White wing bars
- Female and immatures somewhat browner than male
Nebraska
"Oregon junco":
- Dark gray head and breast
- Brown back and wings
- Buffy flanks
- White belly
- Female and immatures somewhat duller than male
California
"Slate-colored junco":
- Dark gray head, breast and upperparts
- White belly
- Female and immatures somewhat browner than adult male and may have
buffy flanks
United States and Canada
"Pink-sided junco":
- Medium gray head and breast
- Dark lores
- Brown back and wings
- Pinkinsh flanks
- White belly
- Female and immatures somewhat browner than male
- Breeds from Alberta to Idaho
"Gray-headed junco":
- Medium gray plumage, palest on belly
- Rusty back
- Dark lores
- Sometimes has dark upper mandible
Similar species:
The Dark-eyed Junco is similar to the local (southeast Arizona) Yellow-eyed
Junco but has dark eyes. Black-chinned sparrow has streaked back, brown wings
and lacks white in the tail.
Length and wingspan from: Robbins, C.S., Bruun, B., Zim, H.S., (1966). Birds of North America. New York: Western Publishing Company, Inc.