Dark-Eyed Junco
Why is this called the dark-eyed junco? I wondered this for awhile. The reason is that there is a yellow-eyed junco. When you see this contrast, it is obvious why a distinction has been made concerning the eyes.
There are several varieties of the dark-eyed junco itself. These birds can look so vastly different, it is a wonder that they are the same species. However, only one of these types lives in my area. This is the slate-colored junco. While juncos may be seen near the Anchorage area year-round, they only come to the Interior for the summer. |
Juncos are often seen eating seed on the ground. I have seen many of them this year (2011), flying around and landing on branches, on the ground...close to the house. I suspect this has something to do with all the seed the chickadees kicked onto the ground this winter.
Sometimes they stay mostly under cover in the thickets. I had to work hard, following the birds into the thicket to get the above picture last year (2010). |
They are always a dark gray (slate) color above, and white on the undersides. As you can see, it can vary how far down the dark color goes onto the bird's chest. There is white on either sides of the tail, which become more apparent in flight.
Another obvious feature of a slate-colored dark-eyed junco is its pale pink beak. It is not always apparent to me that it should be considered pink, but it is notably pale.
Another obvious feature of a slate-colored dark-eyed junco is its pale pink beak. It is not always apparent to me that it should be considered pink, but it is notably pale.