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Bird Identification

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Dark-eyed Junco

Junco hyemalis Length: 6.25"

Look For

The dark-eyed junco is a well-known bird even among nonbirders. Several different forms exist throughout the West, and all were once considered separate species. In flight, all dark-eyed juncos show obvious white outer tail feathers.

Listen for

Juncos are members of the sparrow family, and they sing a long, ringing trill—tiitiitiitiitiitii—that sounds familiar to a chipping sparrow's song, but is slower and more musical. They also give a number of chip notes (tick!) and short buzzes in all seasons.

hear the song/call of the dark-eyed junco

Remember

East of the Great Plains, the slate-colored dark-eyed junco is most common. In the West, five other forms of the species are present.

Find it

Flocks of juncos forage along woodland edges and hedgerows, hopping over the ground in search of seeds, often chipping at each other. At feeders they eat cracked corn and mixed seed.

Wow!

The folk name of Snowbird is given to the dark-eyed junco because of its winter-weather coloration (gray skies above, snow on the ground) and because it typically appears at feeders after the first snowfall.

Dark-eyed junco song courtesy of Lang Elliot, www.musicofnature.org. This profile is an excerpt from The Young Birder's Guide by Bill Thompson, III. Purchase an autographed copy from our nature store, and check out other BWD titles designed to help you identify backyard birds.

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