Dark-eyed Junco has left the building!

Having only lived here since October 2011, we are still learning about the area, including the wildlife. David just realized today that we hadn't seen the Dark-Eyed Juncos around lately and in checking resources, discovered they are only here during the winter months. Below are some photos of them in late March (the last sighting being around the 27th).

The Dark-Eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) includes several that until recently were considered separate species (Oregon Junco, a western race; the slate-colored junco, an eastern race; and the White-winged Junco, found in a limited range in the West). All three are now believed to be races of a single species and have been lumped under the name Dark-eyed Junco. A fourth form, the Gray-headed Junco, common in the Southwest, is still treated as a full species.

The one specifically found in our area, the slate-colored Junco, is 5 - 6 1/2" in length. They can be identified by white outer tail feathers; light pink bill; white belly; rest of plumage slate-gray (with our without white wingbars) or rusty brown with dark head and pinkish-brown flanks. Their habitats are coniferous and mixed forests; forest edges; and will definitely visit your feeders during the winter!