Dark-eyed Junco

Junco hyemalis

Family:

New-World Sparrows

Size:

Small

Visits:

Spring and Fall

Behavior:

Ground Feeders

Dark-eyed Junco Facts

There’s a good deal of variation in the plumage and appearance of dark-eyed juncos in North America, but in the Northeast, they’re most commonly lead-gray in color, with white underbellies and pale pink beaks.

Size:

6" Long

Markings:

Adult males have all-gray feathers from head to tail with white underbellies and white feathers under the tail (some variant males have white stripes on their wings). Adult females in the Northeast are either slate-gray or brown; the gray females have brown and black markings on their wings, and light gray underbellies. Brown females have grayish-brown feathers on head and backs, with white underbellies and white under their tails. Juveniles tend to have an overall gray color.

Habitat:

Coniferous and mixed forests; parks, open spaces, fields.

Behavior:

Dark-eyed juncos are forest birds that make their way to more urban parks and backyards in winter months. Little ground-hopping sparrows, these birds primarily subsist on seeds (especially those of lamb’s quarters, sorrel, and chickweed), but do hunt for small insects during breeding season.

Diet:

Seeds, insects.

Vocals:

Song is a trilling twee-wee-wee-wee-wee-wee-wee. Call is series of kew sounds that are used to tell other birds to back off; also, a staccato kip-kip sound.