The Dark-eyed Junco, Junco hyemalis, is the best-known
species of junco, a genus of small American sparrows.
Adults are generally grey on top with a white belly and
white outer tail feathers. The bill is usually pinkish.
There are several regional variations: The Slate-colored
Junco (J. hyemalis hyemalis) has a dark slate grey head,
breast and upper parts. Females are brownish grey. It
is found in North America in taiga forests from Alaska
to Newfoundland and south to the Appalachian Mountains,
wintering further south; it is relatively common in its
range. The White-winged Junco (J. hyemalis aikeni) has
a grey head, breast and upper parts with white wing bars.
Females are brownish grey. It is found in the mid-western
United States in the Black Hills of South Dakota and Wyoming,
and is relatively rare. The Oregon Junco (J. hyemalis
oreganus) is found on the Pacific coast mountains from
southeastern Alaska to California. It has (see photo,
right) a blackish-gray head and breast with a brown back
and wings. |
