Dark-eyed Junco

Written By: Highlands Plateau Audubon Society | Issue: 2016/03 - March

The Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) is a type of sparrow, this forest floor dweller is slate-colored with bright white tail feathers on display during flight. One of the most populous birds in North America, the Dark-eyed Junco is a year-round resident in the Appalachian Mountains as well as a winter migrant from Alaska, Canada and Western mountains. They are winter seed eaters but will flock to suet cakes as well as seed feeders. They emit a distinctive chip note – stip, stip – and high, tinkling chips
when flushed.