Dark-eyed Junco

Description:

Plumages vary greatly for the different types of dark-juncos. All junco species have white outer tail feathers, a black, gray or brown hood and a white lower chest, abdomen and undertail coverts. While both genders are similar, females tend to be paler and juvenile birds of all plumage variations are streaked.

Habitat:

Pine forest at Angel Fire, New Mexico.

Notes:

This small sparrow has five distinct plumage variations and a wide range of hybrids that are all considered the same bird species. When grouping the different plumages together, however, this bird species is one of the most common birdfeeder visitors. Because these birds prefer colder climates, their appearance at backyard feeders in temperate areas is often considered a sign of winter’s arrival and earns the birds their nickname, snowbirds.