The Dark-eyed Junco is a familiar winter visitor to feeders throughout the United States and Canada. There are several different forms of the Dark-eyed Junco, three of which are described below. Males and females are generally similar but females may be duller in coloration. All juncos have white outer tail fringes which are clearly visible in flight.

Slate-colored Junco - Measuring about 5 inches in length, the Slate-colored Junco is gray (comes in various shades from light to almost black) with a white belly and white fringes on the tail. It ranges from Alaska to Texas, east to the Atlantic coast. It breeds in northern latitudes but is one of the most common visitors to eastern feeders in the winter. It is often the most reported bird in winter bird counts.

Oregon Junco - Measuring 5 inches in length, the Oregon Junco has a dark gray hood, brown back, gray wings, and white underparts. It is very common in the western parts of the United States and Canada. Like all juncos, it has white fringes on the tail.

White-winged Junco - The White-winged Junco is almost entirely gray with conspicuous white wing bars and a white belly and white tail fringes. It is found exclusively in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The White-winged form has more white in the tail than other forms.

Diet: Seeds and insects.

Range: The Dark-eyed Junco breeds throughout Canada, the western United States, the northern third of the central and eastern United State, and the Appalachian Mountains. It winters throughout the United States and southern Canada, thought it is less common in the southeast and gulf states.

Habitat: The Dark-eyed Junco breeds in coniferous and mixed forests but winters in a variety of habitats including urban areas and suburban gardens. Juncos generally forage on the ground and in lower heights of trees.

Status: Common and stable.