Dark-eyed Junco
Junco hyemalis
| Length: 5.5 to 6.5 inches | Wingspan: 9 to 10 inches | Seasonality: Winter / All Seasons |
| ID Keys: Dependent upon race. See photos at bottom of page of several different races. | ||
Once considered five separate species, the five
races of Juncos are now grouped into one species. The five races tend to
summer in different locations, but multiple races can be found together in
winter. The photo on the right is of the white-winged race. The white-winged race
is a South Dakota specialty, nesting only in
the Black Hills. They are similar to the slate-colored junco, except have
white wing bars, more extensive white on the tail, and average 10-15% larger
than other junco races.
Habitat: Conifer and mixed woods in breeding, Open woods, brush, undergrowth, and residential areas in winter.
Diet: Mostly seeds and insects. Summer diet is evenly split between insects and seeds, while winter diets are primarily seeds of weeds and grasses.
Behavior: Primarily forages hopping or walking along the ground. Even when they come to feeders, they typically will feed on fallen seed below a feeder, or on tray feeders set on the ground.
Nesting: White-Winged race nests in the Black Hills, other races only winter in the state.
Song: Dark-eyed Junco Song, also Dark-eyed Junco Call
Migration: Most races summer in Canada or in the Mountain West. The white-winged race can be found in all seasons in the Black Hills, while the other races are only found here in the winter.
Interactive eBird Map: Click here to access an interactive eBird map of Dark-eyed Junco sightings
Bird Feeders: Seeds, nuts and breadcrumbs.
Similar Species: Generally distinctive, except for the Yellow-eyed Junco, a species found in higher elevations of the far southwestern United States.
Conservation Status: Very common and widespread.
Further Information: 1) USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Dark-eyed Junco
2) Cornell University's "All About Birds - Dark-eyed Junco"
3) University of Michigan Animal Diversity Web - Dark-eyed Junco
Photo Information: May 30th, 2004 -- Near Sylvan Lake in Custer State Park -- Terry Sohl
Additional Photos: Click on the image chips or text links below for additional, higher-resolution Dark-eyed Junco photos.
| Click on the map below for a higher-resolution view |
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| South Dakota Status: Common migrant and winter resident throughout the state. Common summer resident in the Black Hills. |
Additional Dark-eyed Junco Photos
Click for a higher-resolution version of these photos
