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Photo: Kellen McCluskey.

Thursday, November 7

Our Vision Statement

Adkins Arboretum inspires environmental stewardship, provides respite and healing, and celebrates natural and cultural diversity through the joy and wonder of the natural world.

We are here for you.

Thank you so much for helping to make the third annual Plein Air Adkins a tremendous success! From the artists, judge, and all who came to view and buy the art to our musicians, vendors, and sponsors- thank you! Click here to see photographer Mike Morgan's record of the day, and mark your calendars for

Plein Air Adkins 2025 on Saturday, November 1.

Photo: Mike Morgan

John James Audubon observed that the Dark-eyed Junco returned to his home near Philadelphia about the time that snow returned to the area. Hence, he gave it the name "Snowbird." He also wrote that the Junco’s flesh "is extremely delicate and juicy." This came from when anything that flew was fair game for dinner, but I cannot imagine how many Juncos it would take to make a meal. He also wrote that the eggs of the Belted-Kingfisher "were fine eating."

Thankfully, we have stopped eating Kingfisher eggs and Juncos. Also, thankfully, snow no longer arrives when the Junco arrives in our area beginning in late October. The Slate-colored Junco in our area breeds in the forest from northern Pennsylvania into the Boreal Forest. When they migrate south, they change their habitat to open woodlands, fields, roadsides, parks, and gardens. This winter habitat is to our advantage because they visit our feeders to glean black oil sunflower seed and millet from the ground and occasionally land on platform feeders.

Image courtesy of Audubon.

There are 15 described subspecies or 'races' of the Dark-eyed Junco in North America. This map shows 12 of them and their simplified illustrations. Where their ranges overlap, they will interbreed with each other. The Slate-colored Junco is the only Junco in the east, but calling it a Dark-eyed Junco is perfectly acceptable. You can see pictures of the various races on this website.

The two most widely divergent races are the Slate-colored Junco and the Oregon Junco.

Slate-colored Junco, Oregon Junco. Images courtesy of Cornell All About Birds.

The Junco is a sparrow. It is about 6 inches long and, in my opinion, looks cute with its dark eyes, gray back, pink bill, and white belly. Juncos are among the most numerous birds in the U.S., with an estimated population of 690 million. Male Slate-colored Juncos are generally darker than females, which can be more brownish-gray. They have two white tail feathers on the sides of the tail that are mostly visible in flight.  

Photo courtesy of Earl Orf Photography

The male fans his white feathers to attract females, warn the rest of the flock when threatened, and establish dominance over other males. Studies have shown that females are more attracted to males with whiter and brighter feathers. Scientists learned this by capturing Juncos and enhancing the whiteness and brightness of their feathers.

During their time with us, it is unusual to hear their song, which is a soft, pretty trill. Listen here. Both sexes sing this song. They have a high-pitched, very short call note like a 'tsip' and a 'tew tew tew' call. Listen to #24 and #27 here. In my experience, I hear the 'tew tew tew' call much more frequently when it snows.

By the end of April, the Slate-colored Juncos in our area have headed north to breed. 

On this website, zoom in on the world map to just our area and click on the blue arrow to watch Junco's ebb and flow throughout the year.  

Please contact me with any questions at wlsngang@verizon.net.

Jeobirdy Answer: This body part is shorter on the Juncos breeds in Western Maryland and the Appalachian Mountains.

Jeobirdy Question: What is the wingspan? These birds have a shorter wingspan because they do not migrate and do not need more wing area to fly long distances. To breed, they fly to higher elevations where they live.  

Jim Wilson

Birder/Arboretum volunteer

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