November Bird of the Month: Dark-Eyed Junco

The Dark-eyed Junco, also known as the Snow Bird, is the best-known species of Junco, a genus of small American Sparrows.

Adults are generally gray 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. Juveniles often have pale streaks and may even be mistaken for a Vesper Sparrow until they acquire adult plumage at 2 to 3 months. There is a regional variation:

The Slate-colored Junco has a dark slate-gray head, breast and upper parts. Females are brownish gray. It is found in North America in taiga forests from Alaska to Newfoundland and south to the Appalachian Mountains, wintering further south; it is relatively common in its range.

Their breeding habitat is coniferous or mixed forest areas throughout North America. They usually nest in a cup shaped depression on the ground, well hidden by vegetation or other material, although they are sometimes found in the lower branches of a shrub or tree. The nests have an outer diameter of about 3.9 inches and are lined with fine grasses and hair.

Normally two broods of 4 eggs are laid during the breeding season. They are incubated by the female for 12 to 13 days. The slightly glossy egg shells are grayish or pale bluish-white in color and heavily spotted (sometimes splotched) with various shades of brown, purple or gray. The spotting is concentrated at the large end of the egg. The young leave the nest within 11 to 14 days of hatching.

Northern birds migrate further south; many populations are permanent residents or altitudinal migrants. In winter, juncos are familiar in and around towns.

These birds forage on the ground. In winter, they often forage in flocks that may comprise several races. They mainly eat insects and seeds. However the bird will sometimes eat its own droppings.

The following is the song of the Dark-Eyed Junco.