Bird
Dark-eyed Junco
Junco hyemalisAlso known as Snowbird
The Dark-eyed Junco is a small sparrow with a pale bill, white outer tail feathers, and highly variable gray, brown, or blackish plumage. It feeds mostly on the ground, giving quick ticking calls as flocks move beneath shrubs and forest edges.
Ground ForagerWinter FlockVariable Plumage
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyBeetles, Caterpillars, Spiders
Predators
- Sharp-shinned Hawks
- Owls
- Domestic cats
ThreatsWindow collisions, free-roaming cats, pesticide exposure, severe weather, and habitat change
HabitatsConifer and mixed forest, mountain woodland, brushy edges, parks, gardens, and fields
Life spanMany live only a few years, but exceptional wild birds exceed a decade
Classification
- OrderPasseriformes
- FamilyPasserellidae
- GenusJunco
- SpeciesJunco hyemalis
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Watch ground-feeding flocks quietly and keep pets away from their cover.
Responsible observation
- Look: Watch for white tail edges flashing when a bird takes flight.
- Listen: Soft ticking notes often reveal a flock under shrubs.
- Distance: Let feeding birds approach naturally instead of following them.
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.