Birdsong field guide
Dark-eyed Junco
Junco hyemalis
A medium-sized, ground-feeding sparrow often referred to as a 'snowbird' due to its sudden arrival at feeders during winter. It is highly variable in plumage across its range but typically characterized by a crisp white belly and outer tail feathers.
What it sounds like
A musical, high-pitched trill on a single pitch; calls include a sharp 'staccato' metallic 'tick' or 'smack'.
Reference call, compare with what you heard
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Field notes
- It is one of the most common and geographically variable birds in North America, with at least six distinct plumage groups.
- The 'Oregon' subspecies features a dark hood and rufous back, while the 'Slate-colored' type is uniform charcoal gray.
- White outer tail feathers are flashed during flight as a startle tactic or social signal to other flock members.
- They exhibit a strict social hierarchy in winter flocks, where 'alpha' birds dominate access to prime feeding spots.
- Despite being sparrows, they possess a unique pinkish, conical bill adapted for husking small seeds.
Habitat
Coniferous and mixed-coniferous forests for breeding; fields, parks, and backyards during winter.
Range
Breeds across Canada, Alaska, and high-altitude US mountains; winters throughout most of the contiguous United States and Mexico.
Similar & commonly confused birds
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