Birds of the World

Passerellidae : New World Sparrows

Dark-eyed Junco

Junco hyemalis

The Dark-eyed Junco is a highly variable species that can be grouped into 5 main sub-types, two of which (Slate-coloured Junco & Oregon Junco) are illustrated below.

Slate-colored Junco (Junco hyemalis hyemalis group)

Male "Slate-colored" Junco (J. h. hyemalis group) - Maryland, USA - January 2000

There are 3 subspecies that make up the Slate-coloured Junco group and it is the most common form, especially in eastern North America.

Male - Maryland, USA - January 2000

Female - Maryland, USA - January 2000

The above photos were from the first roll of film I took after buying my first 600mm f4 lens!

Oregon Junco (Junco hyemalis oreganus group)

The Oregon Junco group is the west coast form of Dark-eyed Junco and consists of 7 subspecies.

Male - Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada - September 2011