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General Description: Dark-eyed Juncos (Junco hyemalis) are small, sexually monomorphic, sparrows. Juncos come in several flavors, but the local flavor has a gray head, reddish back, pink bill, and black tail with white outer tail feathers. Often as they flutter away, they show white, V-shaped tail feathers. Juncos are social during winter and form mixed flocks with several subspecies feeding together. Several subspecies are recognized (14 or 15, depending on the reference) that are organized into 6 groups (Wikipedia).
Taxonomy: Passeriformes, Emberizidae.
Favored Habitat: These little birds are winter visitors to the Las Vegas Valley and can be found in urban parks and yards. A few breed in our local mountains, but most breed farther north. Juncos primarily feed and nest on or close to the ground.
Where to Find: Urban parks and yards during winter, mountains during summer. |