Dark-eyed Junco

Junco hyemalis

Juncos are abundant in mountain regions. They are frequently seen hopping on the ground. When startled, they fly into low branches of nearby trees or shrubs.

Description:

Species show a geographic variation in color. Dark-eyed juncos have very dark head and throat, gray-brown backs, white belly, white outer tail feathers and a whitish bill. This is a small bird at 5-7 inches (13-18 cm).

Voice:

Song is a short metallic trill or series of trills. Calls include tsip, zeet and kew-kew. Members of a flock often spread out widely, but keep in contact by constantly calling.

Food:

Juncos are omnivores, feeding primarily on the ground. Food is mostly weed and grass seeds, small fruits, leaf parts. They also eat beetles, ants, caterpillars, grasshoppers, leafhoppers, and spiders.

Nest:

Juncos are bimodal (they breed in spring and summer.) They are ground nesters, which makes them especially vulnerable to predators such as gopher snakes, raccoons, and weasels. Nests are protected by rock ledge, mudbank, weeds or fallen logs. Nests are made of grasses and plant stems and lined with animal hair. The clutch is made up of 3-6 whitish flecked with reddish-brown eggs. Incubation is 12-14 days and they will fledge about two weeks later.

Habitat:

Prefer forested and forest edge where they search for food among the needles and leaf litter. A widely territorial, ground dweller.

Range:

Found in wooded regions of western mountains in North America from Alaska to Newfoundland down to Baja California.

Migration:

Juncos flock together, perhaps hundreds at a time, migrating to warmer climates. Flocking provides protection from predatory birds and also aids young in finding winter feeding grounds. In late fall they move to lower elevations.

Photo Courtesy of Tom Grey

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