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Location: Palomar Mountain, Palomar, CA
Date: 2006-07-15
Lens: Canon 300mm IS F4 + 1.4x II Converter
Date: 2006-07-15
Lens: Canon 300mm IS F4 + 1.4x II Converter
Dark-Eyed Junco
Junco hyemalis
DescriptionOur local species of the Dark Eyed Junco is also known as the "Oregon Junco". These birds are ground feeders who eat seeds and fruit. When alarmed, like many small birds, they seek shelter in nearby shrubs. Local numbers of these birds increase during winter when they migrate from the North.
Colors vary across geographic regions. Male has black hood covering it's head and neck. Black wings and tail, but has white outer feathers. Brown back and pinkish sides. White belly and undertail coverts. Pink bill. Female similiar except it has a steel grey hood covering it's head and neck. 5 to 6 inches in length.
Both pine and broadleaf forests, parks, and shrublands. I have found the best place to view them is Cuyamaca State Park.
Nesting6-8 pale blue-green eggs with blotches concentrated near the wide end of the egg. They have a 12-13 day incubation period. Fledging occurs 9-13 days after hatching. The nest is a deep, open cup made from bark, twigs, rootlets, and moss. It is lined with softer grasses and hair. The nest usually resides on or near the ground and is protected by a rock ledge, weeds, logs, mud bank, etc.
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