DARK-EYED JUNCO

photo  © 2006 by Paul Morien

We watched this Junco gathering nesting material.  It was taken at Caroga Lake, NY,  on May 26th, 2006.

    

photo © 2003 by Judith Pate

photo © 2005 by Melissa Whitmire

These last two photos are of leucistic juncos - they have uncharacteristic white patches.

March, 2008 Greensboro, NC
photo by Greg Bowers

March, 2008 Randolph Co, NC
photo by Jane Lewis
     The Dark-eyed Junco is a medium-sized unstreaked sparrow whose arrival in our yards each year signals the onset of winter, giving rise to the familiar nickname, “Snowbird.” A common description of the Junco’s plumage, “leaden skies above, snow below” – may also account for its nickname. Juncos subsist on seeds in the winter and so are a common – in fact, the most common – bird seen at birdfeeders across North America.
     Dark-eyed Juncos live in flocks with a distinct social hierarchy: adult males at the top, followed by juvenile males, adult females, and young females at the bottom. This strict pecking order has led birds of different ages and sexes to winter in different portions of their range. Females winter farther south in order to avoid competition for food from the males. Younger males winter farther north than older ones, presumable to gain the advantage of being first to the breeding grounds.
     Dark-eyed Juncos exhibit considerable geographic variation in plumage to the extent that the various forms were at one time considered to be six separate species. The form we have here in North Carolina is called “slate-colored.” While the sexes are similar, the females tend to be paler than the males.
     Juncos practice and interesting foraging method known as “riding.” They land on a seed cluster and “ride” it to the ground, where they hold it while pecking off the seeds.
In addition to the gray/black back and hood, all juncos exhibit a pink bill, white belly, and dark-centered tails with white outer feathers. These white tail feathers are generally only seen during flight or while flicking them in behavioral displays. These tail-flicking displays serve as a sign of dominance in their social hierarchy or as an alarm when there is potential danger for the flock.
     This material was prepared by Members of the Piedmont Bird Club.

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