Pink-sided Junco

1. Bird Name
The English name of the bird we are focusing on is the Pink-sided Junco. Its scientific or Latin name is Junco hyemalis mearnsi.

2. Appearance
The Pink-sided Junco is a unique looking bird that catches your eye with its contrasting coloration and striking patterns. The males and females are similarly colored, though males tend to have more vibrant hues. Their upper body, including their back, head, and wing feathers, is a slate or dark grey, while their sides are painted with a soft pink blush, giving them their name. This eye-catching coloration is framed by a white underbelly. They also have a distinctive beak that is a pale pink or peach color. The bird’s eyes stand out as well, as they are a bright, inquisitive dark brown.

3. Size
Pink-sided Juncos usually grow to an average length of approximately 15-16 cm (6-6.3 inches). Their wingspan typically ranges between 20-25 cm (7.9-9.8 inches). These birds are light, with an average weight of about 18-30 grams.

4. Habitat & Distribution
The Pink-sided Junco is primarily found in North America, inhabiting the Rocky Mountain region in the United States and southern Alberta and British Columbia in Canada. They predominantly prefer coniferous forest areas, shrublands, and rocky hillsides.

5. Interesting Facts
One unique behavior of Pink-sided Juncos is their ground feeding habit. Unlike many bird species, they prefer to feed on the ground, primarily consuming seeds and insects. Culturally, in some Native American folklore, the Junco is considered a symbol of movement and change due to its migratory habits. Another fun fact is that the different colors on their bodies are not due to pigmentation, but a result of how light refracts on their feathers.

6. Diet
Their diet primarily consists of seeds from grasses and weeds, and during the breeding season, they also eat insects and other small invertebrates.

7. Behavior & Sounds
The Pink-sided Junco exhibits a unique flight pattern; they flash alternating white outer feathers and grayish inner feathers on their tail while in flight. Their call can be described as a series of short, chirpy notes, and their song is a fast trill of the same notes. They are also known for their impressive nesting nests, often built by the female and hidden on the ground under vegetation or rocks.

8. Conservation Status
The Pink-sided Junco is currently listed as a species of “Least Concern” according to the IUCN Red List.

9. Lifespan
The average lifespan of a Pink-sided Junco is about 3 years in the wild, but some individuals have been known to live up to 11 years.

10. Additional Notes
In some regions, the Pink-sided Junco is called “Snowbird” due to its grey plumage and its winter migration habits. They have an essential role in ecosystems where they live, as they consume harmful insects and distribute seeds through their droppings, helping to stimulate plant growth. It’s also worth mentioning that, while generally shy, they have been known to come close to humans during feeding times, especially in winter.