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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.
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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. This
is the most common form in the west. The Pink-sided Junco (J.
hyemalis mearnsi) has a grey head and breast, with a brown back
and wings. It has pinkish-brown flanks. It is found in the northern
Rocky Mountains from southern Alberta, Canada to Idaho and Wyoming
in the northern United States. The Gray-headed Junco (J. hyemalis
caniceps) is found in the southern Rocky Mountains from Colorado
to central Arizona. It is mainly grey on top with a rusty back,
similar to the Yellow-eyed Junco except having dark eyes like
the other races of J. hyemalis. Their breeding habitat is coniferous
or mixed forest areas throughout North America. They usually nest
in a well-hidden location on the ground or low in a shrub or tree.
Above Images From The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
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