Dark-eyed Junco
Learn to identify the Dark-eyed Junco by ear. Master the "even, bell-like trill" phrase and tell it apart from similar species.
What the Dark-eyed Junco sounds like
A musical, tinkling trill on one pitch, lasting 1-2 seconds. Males sing from elevated perches during breeding season.
How to tell it apart
Lessons featuring the Dark-eyed Junco
Ready to test your ear? Practice identifying the Dark-eyed Junco's sounds in this interactive in-app lesson.
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Where you'll hear it
Migratory; northern and mountain populations move to lower elevations and more southern regions in winter.
Coniferous and deciduous forests for breeding; open woodlands, fields, parks, and gardens during winter and migration.
Ground foragers, most active during daylight hours, often in flocks during non-breeding season.
How to recognize it by sight
Dark-eyed Juncos are medium-sized sparrows with rounded heads, short, stout bills and fairly long, conspicuous tails. They vary across the country, but in general they're dark gray or brown birds brightened up by a pink bill and white outer tail feathers that periodically flash open, particularly in flight.
Similar species
American Tree Sparrow
Rusty cap and eye-line
Chipping Sparrow
Rusty cap and distinct white eyebrow in breeding plumage
Yellow-eyed Junco
Yellow eyes instead of dark