The Dark-eyed Junco exhibits highly variable plumages. Each of the color patterns described below was previously considered a separate species. The images below illustrate the range of color variations. All have a generally hooded appearance with white outer tail feathers which are often seen in fiight.

Slate-colored Junco
- Mostly gray with pink bill.
- White belly, white outer tail feathers.
- Females may have buffy wash on top of head, back, and wings

Pink-sided Junco
- Gray hood, black lores, pale bill.
- Brownish back, some brown on wings, white outer tail feathers.
- White belly with pinkish sides.
- Females somewhat browner than males.

Oregon Junco
- Very dark gray hood with light bill. 
- Brownish back and wings (darker than on Pink-sided), white outer tail feathers.
- White belly with dark buff flanks.
- Females duller than males.

Visit the Bent Life History page for additional information.

Females may be paler or show more rusty coloration, depending on the race.

None.

Spotted underparts, hooded appearance with pale belly, back gray with hints of rusty color.

Frequents residential areas, park-like areas, open woodlands, grassy fields and brushy areas.  Also forest edges and clearings.

Seeds and insects.

Almost always seen foraging in small flocks. Feeds primarily on the ground, scratching in leaves and other litter.

Range is variable, depending on the race. There is a resident popuation in the west. Other populations nest across Canada and into Alaska. winter range extends across most of the United States and into parts of southern Canada.

More information:

Bent Life History

Visit the Bent Life History for extensive additional information on the Dark-eyed Junco.

Wing Shape

The shape of a bird's wing is often an indication of its habits and behavior. Fast flying birds have long, pointed wings. Soaring birds have long, broad wings. Different songbirds will have a slightly different wing shape. Some species look so much alike (Empidonax flycatchers) that scientists sometimes use the length of specific feathers to confirm a species' identification.

"Slate-colored" Dark-eyed Junco

• Male, Minnesota, Apr.
• From below
• Female, Minnesota, May
• From below

"Oregon" Dark-eyed Junco

• Male, Washington, June
• From below
• Female, Washington, Jan.
• From below
• Sex unknown, immature, Washington, Nov.
• From below
• Male, juvenile, Washington, July
• From below

Wing images from the University of Puget Sound, Slater Museum of Natural History

A very popular backyard feeder bird, the junco is commonly called the "Snowbird" in its winter range.

A short twitter or trill. Song is a longer trill resembling Chipping Sparrow.

Readily comes to backyard feeders for sunflower seed and suet.