photo by: Dave Hillstad
Junco hymalis
Emberizidae Family- 7 genera of sparrows.
Altitudinal migrant in North Central Washington- winters in small flocks in shrub-steppe. Forages on ground, frequents small shrubs. 6 subspecies groups in North America- in Washington, the “Oregon” thurberi subspecies. Forage on open ground, flying into brush when alarmed.
Description:
- Mostly small, brown, streaked songbirds.
- All have short conical bills.
- Tend to change diet seasonally (insects in summer, seeds in winter).
- Length 6.25 inches”
Photos used with permission by Rod Gilbert http://www.pbase.com/rodg
Short conical bill, pale pinkish
Notice:
Dark hood
Brownish back & flanks
White rump
White belly
Unstreaked breast White outer tail feathers-conspicuous in flight – opening and closing like scissors when viewed from behind
photo by: Dave Hillstad