darkeyed junco (Junco hyemalis)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONFIRMATION STATUS: Confirmed.

 

IDENTIFICATION:

• 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

• Breeds from Montana to Nebraska

"Oregon junco":

• Dark gray head and breast

• Brown back and wings

• Buffy flanks

• White belly

• Female and immatures somewhat duller than male

• Breeds from Alaska to 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

• Breeds in eastern 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

• Breeds in Rocky Mountains

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.

 

LIFE HISTORY

Migration Status: Short distance migrant
Breeding Habitat: Woodland
Nest Location: Ground-low nesting
Nest Type: Open-cup
Clutch Size: 3-5
Length of Incubation: 12-13 days
Days to Fledge: 9-13
Number of Broods: 2, occasionally 3 in south, 1 at high elevation and
   latitude
Diet: Primarily seeds; lesser quantities of insects

 

SKY MEADOWS DISTRIBUTION/SEASONAL OCCURRENCE

 

Relative abundance and seasonal occurrence are indicated in red below.

 

Relative abundance
     C - Common: Likely to be present in good numbers in appropriate habitat and season.
     U - Uncommon: May be present in appropriate habitat and season, often in low
            numbers.
     O - Occassional: Found in appropriate habitat perhaps only a few times per season,
            sometimes low numbers.
     R - Rare: May not be recorded every year.
     Acc - Accidental: Recorded once or twice, may not be expected again for a long time.

 

Seasonal Occurrence
      Sp - Spring: March, April, May C
      Su - Summer: June, July, August
      Fall: September, October, November C

      Winter: December, January, February C

 

 

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