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Dark-eyed Junco

(Junco hyemalis)

Photo: S. Schott

Size             : 5 - 6 1/2 inches long

Description      : Male   - White belly and outer tail feathers. The rest of the plumage is solid gray or black,
                            without any streaks. Depending on the subspecies, (of which there are many because
                            of inter-breeding), there may be some color on sides, shoulders or back. The colors
			    may be chestnut or rusty brown across the back, or rufous or pinkish sides.
                            Most common is the slate-colored junco, familiarly known as 'snowbird' because it
                            seems to arrive at the wintering ground in late fall, often just in time for the first
                            snow fall. Slate-colored juncos are dark gray on top, white, like snow, underneath. 
 
                   Female - Slightly lighter in color than male

Preferred Habitat: Coniferous and mixed forests; fields, gardens, city parks, roadside thickets, suburbs 

Preferred food   : Insects, spiders, caterpillars, grasshoppers, wild fruit, seeds.
                   At the feeder: nyjer (thistle), cracked corn, peanuts, millet, suet, black oiler sunflower
                   seeds, wheat
                   In the garden: seeds of cosmos, zinnia, tickseed
                   Prefers to eat on the ground.   

Breeding Range   : Mostly in Alaska, Canada, New England, and through mountainous areas, south to Georgia 

Winter Range     : Throughout the United States, except south Florida

Interesting Facts:- Ragweed allergy sufferers may thank this bird: A third of its diet in the wild consists of
                    ragweed and smartweed seeds.  
                  - In the eastern half of the country, usually only the slate-colored junco is seen.
                    Occasionally, the black-headed, rusty-sided, western 'Oregon Junco' may also be spotted
                    The 'White-winged Junco', is a very rare (and accidental) winter visitor outside 
                    the Black Hills in South Dakota
                  - One of five most common feeder birds in winter
                  - Except during breeding season, usually found in flocks, comprised of other juncos, as well 
                    as towhees, white-throated and fox sparrows, yellow-rumped warblers
                  - Nest is bulky, on sloping ground, under weeds and grasses, constructed by the female
                  - Nest materials are rootlets, moss, grasses, shredded bark; lining is of grass and deer or cow hair
                  - Clutch size is usually 4 to 5; broods per season:1 or 2; incubation: 12 - 13 days;
                    nestling: 9 - 12 days
                  - Voice: Sounds like a Chipping Sparrow, but slower and more melodious; also a tinkling and 
                    a twittering sound; call is a jingling, sharp, 'clink'