The junco is a small songbird found across North America. There are several different subspecies of juncos, including the Dark-eyed Junco. Juncos and Dark-eyed Juncos look very similar and are often confused with each other. However, there are some key differences between these two types of birds that can help identify them.
In this article, we will compare the junco and the Dark-eyed Junco. We will look at their physical features, behavior, habitat, range, diet, and taxonomy to understand how they differ. Understanding the distinctions between these two birds can help bird watchers properly identify and appreciate them.
Physical Features
Juncos and Dark-eyed Juncos are both small-bodied songbirds, usually measuring 5-7 inches in length. They have round, compact bodies with short, conical bills. Their wingspans are about 8-10 inches across.
However, there are some physical differences between the two birds:
Plumage
– Juncos have gray plumage on their heads, breasts, and backs. Their bellies are white.
– Dark-eyed Juncos have darker gray plumage overall, with a darker gray hood. Their sides are also darker gray.
Eyes
– As their name suggests, Dark-eyed Juncos have very dark brown or black eyes.
– Juncos usually have brown eyes that are slightly lighter in color.
Beaks
– Juncos tend to have pink beaks with a dark upper mandible.
– Dark-eyed Juncos have all-dark beaks.
So in summary, Dark-eyed Juncos are a bit darker overall in their plumage and facial features compared to other junco subspecies.
Behavior
Juncos and Dark-eyed juncos exhibit similar behaviors:
– They both forage on the ground, hopping between grass and soil looking for seeds and insects.
– They are social birds that travel and forage in flocks, especially during winter months.
– They are active and restless, frequently flicking their tails.
– Males of both species sing simple, musical trills and calls to defend territory and attract mates.
However, there are some behavioral differences:
– Dark-eyed juncos are thought to be a bit shyer and more cautious compared to other juncos. They will flush and fly away if threatened or startled.
– Juncos may be more tolerant of human presence and activity.
– Juncos sometimes visit bird feeders, especially to eat millet and cracked corn. Dark-eyed juncos less frequently visit feeders.
So Dark-eyed Juncos exhibit slightly more reclusive behavior compared to other junco types. But in general, both birds have active, ground-foraging habits.
Habitat
Juncos and Dark-eyed Juncos occupy similar habitats:
– During summer breeding season, they inhabit forested mountain areas, especially coniferous forests.
– In winter, they descend to lower elevations and are found in woodlots, yards with conifers, parks, and gardens.
– They tend to prefer areas with dense understory vegetation.
However, there are some habitat differences:
– Dark-eyed Juncos more strictly remain in higher elevation coniferous forests in summer.
– Juncos occupy a wider variety of forest habitats in summer, including deciduous and mixed forests.
– Juncos may be more likely to visit backyard feeders near homes in winter.
So while both birds use forested areas, the Dark-eyed Junco sticks more consistently to higher elevation coniferous forests throughout its range. Juncos use a broader variety of habitats.
Range
Juncos and Dark-eyed Juncos have overlapping but slightly different geographic breeding and wintering ranges in North America:
Juncos
– Breed in mountainous regions across the United States and up into Alaska.
– Winter south throughout the U.S. into Mexico.
Dark-eyed Juncos
– Breed in the mountainous west from British Columbia through the Rockies into New Mexico and Arizona.
– Winter in the western and central United States. Ranges farther north in winter than other juncos.
So while juncos occupy a broad swath of North America, the Dark-eyed Junco sticks to the western mountain ranges and their foothills.
Diet
Juncos and Dark-eyed juncos are both omnivorous, eating a combination of plant and animal material. Their diets are very similar and consist of:
– Seeds of grasses, weeds, herbs, shrubs, and trees. This makes up over half their diet.
– Insects and spiders
– Berries and fruits
– Occasionally flowers and buds
The proportion of seeds versus insects in their diet varies seasonally and with habitat. But overall, juncos and Dark-eyed juncos forage on the ground for the same assortment of food items. There is little dietary difference between the two species.
Taxonomy and Relationships
Taxonomically, the junco and the Dark-eyed Junco are very closely related:
– They both belong to the genus Junco within the sparrow family Emberizidae.
– The Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) is considered one subspecies or morph of the variable junco species.
– Other junco subspecies in North America include the yellow-eyed junco (J. phaeonotus), white-winged junco (J. aikeni), and red-backed junco (J. dorsalis).
– Researchers debate the exact taxonomic divisions of the many junco subspecies. Dark-eyed juncos interbreed with other forms where their ranges overlap.
So in essence, the Dark-eyed Junco is a geographic variant of the highly variable junco species. But they are so visually distinct they are often thought of as separate species. More research on junco relationships may further clarify the taxonomy.
Identification Tips
To quickly identify a Dark-eyed versus other junco, look for:
– Darker, slate-colored plumage and dark hood
– Very dark eyes
– Less pink on the bill
– Stays strictly within coniferous mountain forests
– Ranges through the western mountains and foothills
A lighter junco with variable plumage, brown eyes, and a broader range is likely another subspecies. But females and younger birds are harder to differentiate. Observing location and behaviors can help confirm identification.
Conclusion
While the junco and Dark-eyed Junco appear very similar, they can be distinguished upon closer inspection by their plumage colors, eye and bill differences, geographic ranges, behavior, and precisely preferred mountain forest habitats. The Dark-eyed is a darker, more strictly forest-dwelling junco subspecies centered in the western mountain ranges. However, interbreeding where their ranges meet blurs the lines between these two closely-related songbirds. Careful observation and noting field marks are required to confidently differentiate a Dark-eyed Junco from other regional junco populations.