Junco hyemalis
“Slate-colored” male
The Dark-eyed Junco has a huge geographical range, with regional plumage differences to match. The large number of subspecies are clumped together in plumage “groups,” the commonest of which are covered here. Adult male “Slate-colored” birds (widespread in the east) have slate-gray plumage except for the white belly and undertail. Adult male “Oregon” birds (widespread in the west) have a black hood, a reddish-brown back and gray rump, dark wings, and white underparts with a reddish wash on the flanks. Adult male “Gray-headed” birds (from the southern Rockies) have a gray hood with black lores, a reddish back and gray rump, and a dark tail and wings; the underparts are pale gray. Adult females recall their respective regional males but their upperparts are usually browner overall. Juveniles are similar to a respective regional adult female, but browner still and streaked on the underparts.
The Dark-eyed Junco is present as a summer breeding visitor to northern North America, mainly from May to August. These populations migrate south in fall. Birds are present year-round in the west and northeast, and the species’ winter range extends south across the continent. Outside the breeding season it often forms flocks.
“Gray-headed” male
“Pink-sided” male; this form is found in the northern Rockies
“Oregon” male
“Oregon” female
FACT FILE
LENGTH 6.25 in (16 cm)
FOOD Mainly seeds, with invertebrates in spring and summer
HABITAT Northern and boreal forests in summer; a wide range of woodlands in winter
STATUS Widespread and common, both in summer and winter
VOICE Song is a rapid trill. Call is a sharp tchht
Distribution of “Slate-colored” group