Junco hyemalis
| Frequently encountered by hikers from Colorado to the Yukon, the Dark-eyed Juncos living in various regions have taken on decidedly different plumages. If one were to travel the length of the mountains, it would prove to be a gratifying personal study to map the ranges of the various subspecies. Juncos are ground dwellers that are frequently observed flushing along wooded trails. The distinctive, white outer tail feathers will flash in alarm as the otherwise dark junco flies down the narrow path before diving into a thicket. The scientific name hyemalis is New Latin for 'wintry,' an allusion to this junco's annual arrival in the southern U.S., which usually foretells the coming of the winter. | I.D.: General: all forms have white outer tail feathers and a pink bill. 'Oregon Junco': reddish-brown back and flanks; white belly; male has a black hood and a gray rump; female has a dark brown hood and a brown rump. 'Pink-sided Junco': gray head; pink flanks; white belly; light brown back. 'Gray-headed Junco': chestnut-red back; otherwise gray; black lore. 'Slate-colored Junco': white belly; male is otherwise all gray; female is otherwise brown-gray. 'White-winged Junco': 2 white wing bars; male is slate-gray overall; female is brown-gray. Size: L 5-63/4 in. (13-17 cm). Range: 'Oregon Junco': very common migrant and summer breeder in the Canadian and northern U.S. Rockies; very common winter resident in the southern U.S. Rockies; uncommon migrant in the Yellowstone area; rare winter resident north of Colorado. 'Pink-sided Junco': very common migrant and summer breeder and uncommon winter resident in Yellowstone NP; common winter resident in the southern U.S. Rockies. 'Gray-headed Junco': common year-round resident in the southern U.S. Rockies. 'Slate-colored Junco': common in the lower valleys of Banff and Jasper NPs and in the Canadian foothills; uncommon migrant and rare winter resident in the central U.S. Rockies. 'White-winged Junco': rare winter resident in the Colorado Rockies. Habitat: coniferous and mixed forests, shrublands, roadsides, wooded urban areas, forest edges and avalanche slopes from the foothills to the upper subalpine. Nesting: usually on the ground, often with an overhanging canopy, or low in a shrub or tree; deep cup nest is woven with grass, bark strips and roots and lined with fine materials and fur; female incubates 3-5 eggs for 12-13 days. Feeding: scratches the ground for invertebrates, especially spiders, beetles, caterpillars, true bugs, ants and wasps; also eats berries and seeds; commonly visits feeding stations. Voice: long, dry trill; call is a 'smacking' note. Similar Species: none. |