Yellow-eyed Junco

Junco phaeonotus

Least ConcernUncommonOmnivoreForestCup nestSmall · 20 g

About the Yellow-eyed Junco

The yellow-eyed junco is a species of bird in the family Passerellidae, the New World sparrows. It is found from the southwestern United States to Guatemala.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

ID tip

The yellow-eyed junco is about 16 cm (6.3 in) long. Subspecies J. p. palliatus weigh 18 to 22 g (0.63 to 0.78 oz). The species is sexually dimorphic but not dramatically so. Adult males of the nominate subspecies J. p. phaeonotus have a mostly medium gray head with black lores, a black "mask" around the eye, and a paler gray chin and throat with an olive tinge. Their upper back is the same medium gray as their head, their lower back and scapulars are rufous, and their rump and uppertail coverts are olive-gray. Voice: Only male yellow-eyed juncos sing, with some variation by each individual. Their song typically has two or three parts with trills, and has been written as "a musical chip-chip-chip wheedle, wheedle che che che che che".

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

What the Yellow-eyed Junco sounds like

Recording: Diana Doyle · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto

Where it lives

Regular range

When to see it

Peak activity in August · a resident species across most of its range

Easily confused with

Side by side: Dark-eyed Junco vs Yellow-eyed Junco · Lark Bunting vs Yellow-eyed Junco

Learn the Yellow-eyed Junco for real

BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.

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