Junco hyemalis
Most people see them in winter at feeders. They nest in the North and in western mountains. Tiny hopping track in snow under a feeder.
What does a dark-eyed junco look like?
A small ground bird, slate or brown above, white belly, with white flashes in the tail.
What do dark-eyed junco tracks look like?
Tiny prints in snow under a feeder. The white outer tail is the field mark.
- Tiny hopping track in snow under a feeder
- Dark hood or dark body, depending on the form
- White outer tail feathers flash when it flies
- Pink bill
- Feeds on the ground
What does dark-eyed junco poop look like?
Not distinctive. Do not handle droppings. Several species carry parasites that stay in the soil around a latrine.
Where you find it
Most people see them in winter at feeders. They nest in the North and in western mountains. Typical places: yard, woods. Year-round in much of the range. Some move south for winter.
What to do next
- Watch from a distance
- Do not approach a nest
- If a bird is injured, call a local wildlife rehabilitator
This page is a field guide, not a permit to approach wildlife. If an animal is injured, aggressive, or inside a house, call a local wildlife officer.
Animals it is confused with
- Black-capped chickadee identification
- Song sparrow identification
- All animal identification pages
- Identify an animal from a photo, track, or description
What does a junco look like?
A small gray or brown bird with a white belly and white outer tail feathers, usually on the ground.
How to tell a dark-eyed junco from similar animals
Use the track, the dropping, and the place together. One print is not enough.
- Black-capped chickadee. Too small to read well. Black cap, black bib, white cheeks.
- Song sparrow. A tiny sparrow print. Brown streaked sparrow with a dark spot in the middle of the breast.
Dark-eyed junco field marks
- Tiny hopping track in snow under a feeder
- Dark hood or dark body, depending on the form
- White outer tail feathers flash when it flies
- Pink bill
Where the sign shows up
Most people see them in winter at feeders. They nest in the North and in western mountains. Typical places: yard, woods. Year-round in much of the range. Some move south for winter.
Tiny prints in snow under a feeder. The white outer tail is the field mark. Not distinctive.
Common questions
What does a junco look like?
A small gray or brown bird with a white belly and white outer tail feathers, usually on the ground.