# Dark-eyed Junco (*Junco hyemalis*) The Dark-eyed Junco is a small, cheerful bird with a round body and a short tail. They usually have a dark gray or brown color and can be found hopping around on the ground looking for seeds. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 539 - **Habitat:** Forests, gardens, and parks - **Also known as:** Slate-colored Junco, Snowbird ![Dark-eyed Junco](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426927/objects/4552.jpg) ## Appearance The Dark-eyed Junco has slate-grey upperparts, a bright white belly, and a pale pinkish bill. Its most distinctive feature is the flash of white outer tail feathers seen when it flies or hops. Females are typically paler brown-grey. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Passerellidae - **Genus:** Junco ## Interesting facts - Baby juncos eat lots of insects, helping them grow big and strong quickly! - Did you know there are many different types of juncos with unique patterns? - Juncos typically build their nests on the ground, hidden under plants or logs! - Some juncos migrate over 2000 km to warmer winter homes! ## Special abilities - **Ground-Scratcher:** Dark-eyed Juncos can 'kick-scratch' backwards with both feet simultaneously to uncover hidden seeds on the forest floor. - **Feathered Flash:** Dark-eyed Juncos have bright white outer tail feathers that they flash to confuse predators or signal to other juncos. - **Winter Wanderer:** Dark-eyed Juncos can fluff feathers for insulation and shiver to generate heat, helping them survive cold winters. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 13-17 cm - **Wingspan:** 18-25 cm - **Weight:** 0.018-0.03 kg - **Lifespan:** 3-7 years - **Speed:** 40 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 3-6 - **Incubation:** 11-13 days - **Migration Distance:** 2000 km ## Diet & Feeding These small birds primarily eat seeds but also enjoy munching on various insects. - **Age differences:** Young juncos consume a higher proportion of insects for rapid growth. - **Primary Foods:** grass seeds, weed seeds, beetles, caterpillars, spiders, ants - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Sharp-shinned Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sharp-shinned-hawk) (*Accipiter striatus*) — A common predator of small songbirds like juncos. - **Eaten by:** [Domestic Cat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/domestic-cat) (*Felis catus*) — Domestic cats are significant predators, especially in urban areas. - **Eats:** [Quackgrass](https://www.snappit.app/explore/quackgrass) (*Elymus repens*) — Juncos consume the seeds of various common grasses. - **Eats:** [Black Garden Ant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-garden-ant) (*Lasius niger*) — Juncos forage for ants and other small invertebrates. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low These birds are friendly and harmless. Just enjoy watching them from a distance! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Dark-eyed Junco? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Dark-eyed Junco? 13-17 cm ### What is Dark-eyed Junco's wingspan? 18-25 cm ### How much does Dark-eyed Junco weigh? 0.018-0.03 kg ### How long does Dark-eyed Junco live? 3-7 years ### How fast can Dark-eyed Junco move? 40 km/h ### What does Dark-eyed Junco eat? These small birds primarily eat seeds but also enjoy munching on various insects. ### Where is Dark-eyed Junco usually found? Forests, gardens, and parks ## Where to spot - [Atchison Village](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/atchison-village) — California, US · Neighborhood - [Bald Eagle State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bald-eagle-state-forest) — Pennsylvania, US · Forest - [Blake Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/blake-garden) — California, US · Botanical Garden - [Brooks River Archeological District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/brooks-river-archeological-district) — Alaska, US · Historic District - [Bryce Canyon Lodge Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bryce-canyon-lodge-historic-district) — Utah, US · Historic District - [Bryce Canyon National Park Scenic Trails Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bryce-canyon-national-park-scenic-trails-historic-district) — Utah, US · Trail [View all places to see Dark-eyed Junco](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/dark-eyed-junco) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Dark-eyed Junco: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/dark-eyed-junco)