Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis)

The Chestnut-backed Chickadee pictured last week was nicely perched on the branch of a tree since that is where they are usually seen. Today's bird is on the walkway since these birds, the Dark-eyed Juncos, prefer to forage on the ground. Apparently ornithologists are still sorting out bird taxonomy and though I have formerly identified these local residents as Oregon Juncos, it seems that the latter refers to a sub-species and our local birds may or may not be members of that sub-species since there is a great deal of variation within the genus. In any case I always like to see these neat, busy little birds no matter what they are called.

Dark-Eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis)

I mentioned yesterday that there were lots of birds on the West Bay Walkway on Sunday morning and here is another, the Dark-Eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis). This variety is also known as the Oregon Junco.