The Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) is about 6 inches long. It is found throughout the US and Canada. There are a variety of forms. Many have a darker head and breast set off from the white belly. Previously thought to be four different species: Oregon, White-winged, Grey-headed and Slate-colored. The pictured bird here is a juvenile.
The voice is a ringing metallic trill on the same pitch. Members of a flock may spread out widely, but keep in contact by constantly calling with a tsick or tchet. Also a soft buzzy trill in flight. The junco feeds on seeds and fruits. They will also eat insects during the breeding season.
The Junco can be found throughout the US and Canada, and is seen by many people in the winter when it frequents parks and neighborhood yards and picks through the brush along roadsides. Juncos breed in coniferous or mixed woodlands. The nest is built in a hidden spot on the ground and is generally made of mosses, bark and twigs. There can be from 3 to 6 eggs laid. They are pale blue or green with blotches at the larger end. There can be one to three broods each year. Incubation period is 12 to 13 days. Then another 10 to 13 days to fledge.
Juncos can live to the ripe old age of 11 years.
Find the Wild Republic Dark-eyed Junco Audubon Bird with sound (shown above) at at our sponsor's online gift shop: www.jeanniescottage.com.
Class: Aves | Order: Passeriformes | Family: Emberizidae | Genus: Junco | Species: J. hyemalis
image of Oregon Junco courtesy Jeanne Jones
