Dark-eyed Junco

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Dark-eyed Junco
Junco hyemalis subsp. hyemalis
Conservation status
Least Concern
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Passeriformes Family: Emberizidae Genus: Junco Species: J. hyemalis
Binomial name
Junco hyemalis (Linnaeus, 1758)
Approximate range of the Dark-eyed Junco. (map not applicable to all subspecies)

The Dark-eyed Junco, Junco hyemalis, is the best-known species of junco, a genus of small American sparrows.

Adults are generally grey on top with a white belly. The white outer tail feathers flash distinctively in flight. The bill is usually pinkish. The males tend to have darker, more conspicuous markings than the female. Juveniles often have pale streaks and may even be mistaken for a Vesper Sparrow until they acquire adult plumage at 2 to 3 months. There are several regional variations:

• 
  The Slate-colored Junco (J. hyemalis hyemalis) has a dark slate-grey head, breast and upper parts. Females are brownish grey. It is found in North America in taiga forests from Alaska to Newfoundland and south to the Appalachian Mountains, wintering further south; it is relatively common in its range.
• The White-winged Junco (J. hyemalis aikeni) has a pale gray head, breast, and upperparts with white wing bars. Females are washed brownish. It is an endemic breeder in the Black Hills area of South Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska, and Montana. It is common across its breeding range.
• The Oregon Junco (J. hyemalis oreganus) is found on the Pacific coast mountains from southeastern Alaska to extreme northern Baja California. It has (see photo, right) a blackish-gray head and breast with a brown back and wings and reddish flanks. This is the most common form in the west.
• The Pink-sided Junco (J. hyemalis mearnsi) has a grey head and breast, with a brown back and wings. It has pinkish-brown flanks. It is found in the northern Rocky Mountains from southern Alberta, Canada to Idaho and Wyoming in the northern United States.
• The Gray-headed Junco (J. hyemalis caniceps) is found in the southern Rocky Mountains from Colorado to central Arizona. It is mainly grey on top with a rusty back, similar to the Yellow-eyed Junco except having dark eyes like the other races of J. hyemalis.
• The Red-backed Junco (J. hyemalis dorsalis) is found in the southern mountains of Arizona and New Mexico. It has a dark upper mandible and rust-color on the wings, making it still more similar to the Yellow-eyed Junco, with which it does not overlap in breeding range.

Their breeding habitat is coniferous or mixed forest areas throughout North America. They usually nest in a cup shaped depression on the ground, well hidden by vegetation or other material, although they are sometimes found in the lower branches of a shrub or tree. The nests have an outer diameter of about 10cm and are lined with fine grasses and hair.

Normally two broods of 4 eggs are laid during the breeding season. They are incubated by the female for 12 to 13 days. The slightly glossy egg shells are greyish or pale bluish-white in color and heavily spotted (sometimes splotched) with various shades of brown, purple or grey. The spotting is concentrated at the large end of the egg. Young leave nest between 11 and 14 days of hatching.

Northern birds migrate further south; many populations are permanent residents or altitudinal migrants. In winter, juncos are familiar in and around towns. The Slate-coloured Junco is a rare vagrant to western Europe and has wintered in Great Britain, usually in a domestic garden.

These birds forage on the ground. In winter, they often forage in flocks that may comprise several races. They mainly eat insects and seeds. The song is a trill similar to the Chipping Sparrow's, except that the Red-backed's song is more complex, similar to the Yellow-eyed Junco's. Calls include "tick" sounds and very high-pitched tinkling chips. A sample of their song can be heard at the USGS web site here: [1] or at the Cornell University Ornithology Lab web site here: (Requires the RealPlayer)

Contents 1 Photos 2 References 3 External links 4 Further reading 4.1 Book 4.2 Thesis 4.3 Articles

[edit] Photos

Slate-colored Junco

Dark-eyed Junco

Dark-eyed Junco (juvenile)

Oregon Junco (Junco hyemalis subsp. oreganus)

[edit] References

• BirdLife International (2004). Junco hyemalis. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 10 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern

[edit] External links

• Cornell University Ornithology Lab page about the Dark-Eyed Junco
• USGS site with comprehensive information including sound samples

[edit] Further reading

[edit] Book

• Nolan, V., Jr., E. D. Ketterson, D. A. Cristol, C. M. Rogers, E. D. Clotfelter, R. C. Titus, S. J. Schoech, and E. Snajdr. 2002. Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis). In The Birds of North America, No. 716 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.

[edit] Thesis

• Dolan PM. Ph.D. (1982). DOMINANCE, AGGRESSION, AND SOCIAL POWER IN WINTER FLOCKS OF THE DARK-EYED JUNCO (JUNCO HYEMALIS). University of Montana, United States -- Montana.

• Swanson DL. Ph.D. (1990). Seasonal thermoregulation in the dark-eyed junco (Passeriformes:Junco hyemalis). Oregon State University, United States -- Oregon.

• Terrill SB. Ph.D. (1986). THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOCIAL DOMINANCE, MIGRATORY RESTLESSNESS AND ENERGETICS IN THE DARK-EYED JUNCO, JUNCO HYEMALIS, (L) (BIRDS, PHYSIOLOGY, DISPERSAL). State University of New York at Albany, United States -- New York.

[edit] Articles

• Allan TA. (1979). Parental Behavior of a Replacement Male Dark-Eyed Junco Junco-Hyemalis. Auk. vol 96, no 3. p. 630-631.

• Baker MC, Belcher CS, Deutsch LC, Sherman GL & Thompson DB. (1981). Foraging Success in Junco Junco-Hyemalis Flocks and the Effects of Social Hierarchy. Anim Behav. vol 29, no 1. p. 137-142.

• Balph MH. (1979). Flock Stability in Relation to Social Dominance and Agonistic Behavior in Wintering Dark-Eyed Juncos Junco-Hyemalis. Auk. vol 96, no 4. p. 714-722.

• Bears H. (2004). Parasite prevalence in Dark-eyed Juncos, Junco hyemalis, breeding at different elevations. Can Field-Nat. vol 118, no 2. p. 235-238.

• Boysen AF, Lima SL & Bakken GS. (2001). Does the thermal environment influence vigilance behavior in dark-eyed juncos (Junco hyemalis)? An approach using standard operative temperature. J Therm Biol. vol 26, no 6. p. 605-612.

• Brackbill H. (1977). Protracted Prebasic Head Molt in the Dark-Eyed Junco. Bird Banding. vol 48, no 4. p. 370-370.

• Butler RW. (1980). Appropriation of an American Robin Turdus-Migratorius Nest by Dark-Eyed Juncos Junco-Hyemalis-Oreganus. Canadian Field Naturalist. vol 94, no 2.

• Caraco T. (1981). ENERGY BUDGETS, RISK AND FORAGING PREFERENCES IN DARK-EYED JUNCOS (JUNCO-HYEMALIS). Behav Ecol Sociobiol. vol 8, no 3. p. 213-217.

• Clotfelter ED, Schubert KA, Nolan V & Ketterson ED. (2003). Mouth color signals thermal state of nestling dark-eyed juncos (Junco hyemalis). Ethology. vol 109, no 2. p. 171-182.

• Collins CT. (1987). A Breeding Record of the Dark-Eyed Junco on Santa Catalina Island California USA. Western Birds. vol 18, no 2. p. 129-130.

• Corbitt C & Deviche P. (2005). Age-related difference in size of brain regions for song learning in adult male dark-eyed juncos (Junco hyemalis). Brain Behavior & Evolution. vol 65, no 4. p. 268-277.

• Cristol DA. (1992). Food Deprivation Influences Dominance Status in Dark-Eyed Juncos Junco-Hyemalis. Anim Behav. vol 43, no 1. p. 117-124.

• Cristol DA. (1995). Costs of switching social groups for dominant and subordinate dark-eyed juncos (Junco hyemalis). Behavioral Ecology & Sociobiology. vol 37, no 2. p. 93-101.

• Cristol DA, Nolan VJ & Ketterson ED. (1990). Effect of Prior Residence on Dominance Status of Dark-Eyed Juncos Junco-Hyemalis. Anim Behav. vol 40, no 3. p. 580-586.

• Czikeli H. (1983). Agonistic Interactions within a Winter Flock of Slate-Colored Juncos Junco-Hyemalis Evidence for the Dominants Strategy. Zeitschrift fuer Tierpsychologie. vol 61, no 1. p. 61-66.

• Deviche P, Greiner EC & Manteca X. (2001). Seasonal and age-related changes in blood parasite prevalence in Dark-eyed Juncos (Junco hyemalis, Aves, Passeriformes). J Exp Zool. vol 289, no 7. p. 456-466.

• Deviche P & Gulledge CC. (1998). Vocal control region volumes of an adult, sexually dimorphic songbird (Junco hyemalis) change seasonally in both sexes. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts. vol 24, no 1-2.

• Fretwell S. (1969). Dominance Behavior and Winter Habitat Distribution in Juncos Junco-Hyemalis. Bird Banding. vol 40, no 1. p. 1-25.

• Goldman P. (1980). Flocking as a Possible Predator Defense in Dark-Eyed Juncos Junco-Hyemalis. Wilson Bull. vol 92, no 1. p. 88-95.

• Goldstein GB & Baker MC. (1984). Seed Selection by Juncos Junco-Hyemalis. Wilson Bull. vol 96, no 3. p. 458-463.

• Grindstaff JL, Buerkle CA, Casto JM, Nolan V & Ketterson ED. (2001). Offspring sex ratio is unrelated to male attractiveness in dark-eyed juncos (Junco hyemalis). Behav Ecol Sociobiol. vol 50, no 4. p. 312-316.

• Hill JA, Enstrom DA, Ketterson ED, Nolan V & Ziegenfus C. (1999). Mate choice based on static versus dynamic secondary sexual traits in the dark-eyed junco. Behav Ecol. vol 10, no 1. p. 91-96.

• Holberton RL, Able KP & Wingfield JC. (1989). Status Signalling in Dark-Eyed Juncos Junco-Hyemalis Plumage Manipulations and Hormonal Correlates of Dominance. Anim Behav. vol 37, no 4. p. 681-689.

• Jawor MM & Ketterson ED. (2003). Dominance status influences breeding success in female dark-eyed juncos (Junco hyemalis). Integr Comp Biol. vol 43, no 6. p. 861-861.

• Jung RE, Morton ES & Fleischer RC. (1994). BEHAVIOR AND PARENTAGE OF A WHITE-THROATED SPARROW X DARK-EYED JUNCO HYBRID. Wilson Bull. vol 106, no 2. p. 189-202.

• Keiser JT, Ziegenfus CWS & Cristol DA. (2005). Homing success of migrant versus nonmigrant dark-eyed juncos (Junco hyemalis). Auk. vol 122, no 2. p. 608-617.

• Ketterson ED. (1979). Aggressive Behavior in Wintering Dark-Eyed Juncos Junco-Hyemalis Determinants of Dominance and Their Possible Relation to Geographic Variation in Sex Ratio. Wilson Bull. vol 91, no 3. p. 371-383.

• Ketterson ED & Nolan VJ. (1976). Geographic Variation and Its Climatic Correlates in the Sex Ratio of Eastern Wintering Dark-Eyed Juncos Junco-Hyemalis-Hyemalis. Ecology. vol 57, no 4. p. 679-693.

• Ketterson ED & Nolan VJ. (1978). Over Night Weight Loss in Dark-Eyed Juncos Junco-Hyemalis. Auk. vol 95, no 4. p. 755-758.

• Ketterson ED & Nolan VJ. (1979). Seasonal Annual and Geographic Variation in Sex Ratio of Wintering Populations of Dark-Eyed Juncos Junco-Hyemalis. Auk. vol 96, no 3. p. 532-536.

• Ketterson ED & Nolan VJ. (1982). The Role of Migration and Winter Mortality in the Life History of a Temperate Zone Migrant the Dark-Eyed Junco Junco-Hyemalis-Hyemalis as Determined from Demographic Analyses of Winter Populations. Auk. vol 99, no 2. p. 243-259.

• Ketterson ED & Nolan VJ. (1983). Autumnal Zugunruhe and Migratory Fattening of Dark-Eyed Juncos Junco-Hyemalis Apparently Suppressed by Detention at the Wintering Site. Wilson Bull. vol 95, no 4. p. 628-635.

• Lima SL. (1988). Vigilance and Diet Selection a Simple Example in the Dark-Eyed Junco. Canadian Journal of Zoology. vol 66, no 3. p. 593-596.

• Lima SL, Zollner PA & Bednekoff PA. (1999). Predation, scramble competition, and the vigilance group size effect in dark-eyed juncos (Junco hyemalis). Behav Ecol Sociobiol. vol 46, no 2. p. 110-116.

• Merritt J & Martin EW. (1987). THE DISTRIBUTION AND TURNOVER OF S-35 METHIONINE AS INFLUENCED BY DIET IN THE DARK-EYED JUNCO (JUNCO-HYEMALIS). Comp Biochem Physiol A-Physiol. vol 88, no 3. p. 443-445.

• Mulvihill RS & Chandler CR. (1990). The Relationship between Wing Shape and Differential Migration in Th Dark-Eyed Junco. Auk. vol 107, no 3. p. 490-499.

• Mulvihill RS & Chandler CR. (1991). A COMPARISON OF WING SHAPE BETWEEN MIGRATORY AND SEDENTARY DARK-EYED JUNCOS (JUNCO-HYEMALIS). Condor. vol 93, no 1. p. 172-175.

• Murphy MT, Bakken GS & Erskine DJ. (1986). METABOLIC RESPONSES OF DARK-EYED JUNCOS (JUNCO-HYEMALIS, AVES) TO TEMPERATURE AND WIND. Am Zool. vol 26, no 4. p. A112-A112.

• Nolan VJ & Ketterson ED. (1983). An Analysis of Body Mass Wing Length and Visible Fat Deposits of Dark-Eyed Juncos Junco-Hyemalis Wintering at Different Latitudes. Wilson Bull. vol 95, no 4. p. 603-620.

• Nolan VJ, Ketterson ED & Wolf L. (1986). Long-Distance Homing by Nonmigratory Dark-Eyed Juncos Junco-Hyemalis. Condor. vol 88, no 4. p. 539-542.

• Polder JJW & Voous KH. (1969). Capture of Slate-Colored Junco Junco-Hyemalis in the Netherlands. Limosa. vol 42, no 3-4. p. 198-200.

• Rabenold KN & Rabenold PP. (1985). Variation in Altitudinal Migration Winter Segregation and Site Tenacity in Two Subspecies of Dark-Eyed Juncos Junco-Hyemalis in the Southern Appalachians USA. Auk. vol 102, no 4. p. 805-819.

• Rambo TC. (1981). Social Hierarchy and Activity in Caged Flocks of Dark-Eyed Juncos Junco-Hyemalis. Ohio Journal of Science. vol 81, no 1. p. 24-28.

• Rasner CA, Yeh P, Eggert LS, Hunt KE, Woodruff DS & Price TD. (2004). Genetic and morphological evolution following a founder event in the dark-eyed junco, Junco hyemalis thurberi. Mol Ecol. vol 13, no 3. p. 671-681.

• Roberts EPJ & Weigl PD. (1984). Habitat Preference in the Dark-Eyed Junco Junco-Hyemalis the Role of Photoperiod and Dominance. Anim Behav. vol 32, no 3. p. 709-714.

• Rogers CM, Nolan V, Jr. & Ketterson ED. (1994). Winter fattening in the dark-eyed junco: Plasticity and possible interaction with migration trade-offs. Oecologia. vol 97, no 4. p. 526-532.

• Rogers CM, Theimer TL, Nolan VJ & Ketterson ED. (1989). Does Dominance Determine How Far Dark-Eyed Juncos Junco-Hyemalis Migrate into Their Winter Range?. Anim Behav. vol 37, no 3. p. 498-506.

• Shettleworth SJ & Westwood RP. (2002). Divided attention, memory, and spatial discrimination in food-storing and nonstoring birds, black-capped chickadees (Poecile atricapilla) and dark-eyed juncos (Junco hyemalis). J Exp Psychol-Anim Behav Process. vol 28, no 3. p. 227-241.

• Simmons GA & Sloan NF. (1969). A New Bird Nest Monitoring Technique Inst Event Recorder Hylocichla-Guttata Junco-Hyemalis. American Midland Naturalist. vol 81, no 1. p. 276-279.

• Smith KG. (1984). DARK-EYED JUNCO, JUNCO-HYEMALIS, NEST USURPED BY PACIFIC JUMPING MOUSE, ZAPUS-TRINOTATUS. Can Field-Nat. vol 98, no 1. p. 47-48.

• Smith KG. (1988). CLUTCH-SIZE DEPENDENT ASYNCHRONOUS HATCHING AND BROOD REDUCTION IN JUNCO-HYEMALIS. Auk. vol 105, no 1. p. 200-203.

• Smith KG & Andersen DC. (1982). Food Predation and Reproductive Ecology of the Dark-Eyed Junco Junco-Hyemalis-Mearnsi in Northern Utah USA. Auk. vol 99, no 4. p. 650-661.

• Smith KG & Andersen DC. (1985). SNOWPACK AND VARIATION IN REPRODUCTIVE ECOLOGY OF A MONTANE GROUND-NESTING PASSERINE, JUNCO-HYEMALIS. Ornis Scandinavica. vol 16, no 1. p. 8-13.

• Soini HA, Schrock SE, Bruce KE, Wiesler D, Ketterson ED & Novotny MV. (2007). Seasonal variation in volatile compound profiles of preen gland secretions of the dark-eyed junco (Junco hyemalis). J Chem Ecol. vol 33, no 1. p. 183-198.

• Stuebe MM & Ketterson ED. (1982). Fasting in Tree Sparrows Spizella-Arborea and Dark-Eyed Juncos Junco-Hyemalis Ecological Implications. Auk. vol 99, no 2. p. 299-308.

• Stuebe MM & Ketterson ED. (1982). A STUDY OF FASTING IN TREE SPARROWS (SPIZELLA-ARBOREA) AND DARK-EYED JUNCOS (JUNCO-HYEMALIS) - ECOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS. Auk. vol 99, no 2. p. 299-308.

• Swanson DL. (1990). Seasonal Variation in Cold Hardiness and Peak Rates of Cold-Induced Thermogenesis in the Dark-Eyed Junco Junco-Hyemalis. Auk. vol 107, no 3. p. 561-566.

• Swanson DL. (1991). SEASONAL ADJUSTMENTS IN METABOLISM AND INSULATION IN THE DARK-EYED JUNCO. Condor. vol 93, no 3. p. 538-545.

• Terrill SB. (1987). Social Dominance and Migratory Restlessness in the Dark-Eyed Junco Junco-Hyemalis. Behavioral Ecology & Sociobiology. vol 21, no 1. p. 1-12.

• Theimer TC. (1987). THE EFFECT OF SEED DISPERSION ON THE FORAGING SUCCESS OF DOMINANT AND SUBORDINATE DARK-EYED JUNCOS, JUNCO-HYEMALIS. Anim Behav. vol 35, p. 1883-1890.

• Thompson DB, Tomback DF, Cunningham MA & Baker MC. (1987). Seed Selection by Dark-Eyed Juncos Junco-Hyemalis Optimal Foraging with Nutrient Constraints?. Oecologia. vol 74, no 1. p. 106-111.

• Vezina F & Thomas DW. (1997). Social rank and the use of nocturnal hypothermia in dark-eyed juncos (Junco hyemalis). Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America. vol 78, no 4 SUPPL.

• Vezina F & Thomas DW. (2000). Social status does not affect resting metabolic rate in wintering dark-eyed junco (Junco hyemalis). Physiol Biochem Zool. vol 73, no 2. p. 231-236.

• Weske JS & Bridge D. (1976). INCOMPLETE PRE-BASIC MOLT IN A DARK-EYED JUNCO. Bird-Banding. vol 47, no 3. p. 276-277.

• Wiedenmann RN & Rabenold KN. (1987). The Effects of Social Dominance between Two Subspecies of Dark-Eyed Juncos Junco-Hyemalis. Anim Behav. vol 35, no 3. p. 856-864.

• Wiley RH. (1990). PRIOR-RESIDENCE AND COAT-TAIL EFFECTS IN DOMINANCE RELATIONSHIPS OF MALE DARK-EYED JUNCOS, JUNCO-HYEMALIS. Anim Behav. vol 40, p. 587-596.

• Wiley RH & Hartnett SA. (1980). Mechanisms of Spacing in Groups of Juncos Junco-Hyemalis Measurement of Behavioral Tendencies in Social Situations. Anim Behav. vol 28, no 4. p. 1005-1016.

• Wolf L. (1983). An Experimental Study of Bi Parental Care in the Dark-Eyed Junco Junco-Hyemalis. Am Zool. vol 23, no 4. p. 930-930.

• Wolf L, Ketterson ED & Nolan VJ. (1988). Parental Influence on Growth and Survival of Dark-Eyed Junco Young Do Parental Males Benefit. Anim Behav. vol 36, no 6. p. 1601-1618.

• Worth CB. (1975). PSEUDOSCORPIONS ON A DARK-EYED JUNCO, JUNCO-HYEMALIS. Bird-Banding. vol 46, no 1. p. 76-76.

• Yasukawa K & Bick EI. (1983). Dominance Hierarchies in Dark-Eyed Juncos Junco-Hyemalis a Test of a Game Theory Model. Anim Behav. vol 31, no 2. p. 439-448.

• Yaukey PH. (1994). VARIATION IN RACIAL DOMINANCE WITHIN THE WINTER RANGE OF THE DARK-EYED JUNCO (JUNCO-HYEMALIS L). J Biogeogr. vol 21, no 4. p. 359-368.

• Yunick RP. (1976). RATE OF RECTRIX REGROWTH IN DARK-EYED JUNCO. Bird-Banding. vol 47, no 2. p. 136-140.