Yellow-eyed Junco Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesYellow-eyed Junco
Adult
A medium-sized sparrow with a rusty back and a characteristic yellow eye. Residents from southern Arizona and New Mexico south to northern Jalisco, Mexico, have whiter underparts.
© Heather Pickard / Macaulay LibraryArizona, February 27, 2013Adult
Gray overall with a rusty back, yellow eye and white outer tail feathers.
© Juan Miguel Artigas Azas / Macaulay LibrarySan Luis Potosí, January 26, 2020Adult
Males sing a 2–3 parted trill from elevated perches.
© Larry Arbanas / Macaulay LibraryArizona, May 01, 2006Not all videos have sound
Adult
Plumage darkens from north to south with northern individuals having a whiter belly and a rustier back than individuals in Chiapas, Mexico, and Guatemala.
© Ad Konings / Macaulay LibraryArizona, March 06, 2020Juvenile
Juveniles are grayish overall with a rusty back and dark streaks above and below.
© Jay McGowan / Macaulay LibraryArizona, July 28, 2016Adult
Walks, hops, and shuffles on the ground foraging for seeds and insects.
© Timothy Barksdale / Macaulay LibraryArizona, February 01, 1997Not all videos have sound
Adult
Like other juncos, Yellow-eyed Juncos have white outer tail feathers that are most often seen in flight.
© Larry Arbanas / Macaulay LibraryArizona, May 01, 2006Not all videos have sound
Similar SpeciesDark-eyed Junco
Adult (Red-backed)
The "Red-backed" form of Dark-eyed Junco lacks the yellow eye of Yellow-eyed Juncos, and usually does not show rufous in the wings. Breeding ranges do not overlap.
© Amanda Guercio / Macaulay LibraryArizona, April 02, 2015Similar SpeciesDark-eyed Junco
Adult (Gray-headed)
The "Gray-headed" form of Dark-eyed Junco has a dark eye and an all-pale bill, unlike the Yellow-eyed Junco's two-toned bill. Dark-eyed Juncos tend to only hop whereas Yellow-eyed Juncos walk, hop, and shuffle.
© Chris Wood / Macaulay LibraryColorado, December 28, 2016Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
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