Birds Around Las Vegas, Wildlife Around Las Vegas
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General Description: Dark-eyed Juncos (Junco hyemalis) are small, sexually monomorphic, sparrows. Juncos come in several flavors, but the local flavor has a gray head, reddish back, pink bill, and black tail with white outer tail feathers. Often as they flutter away, they show white, V-shaped tail feathers. Juncos are social during winter and form mixed flocks with several subspecies feeding together. Several subspecies are recognized (14 or 15, depending on the reference) that are organized into 6 groups (Wikipedia). Taxonomy: Passeriformes, Emberizidae. Favored Habitat: These little birds are winter visitors to the Las Vegas Valley and can be found in urban parks and yards. A few breed in our local mountains, but most breed farther north. Juncos primarily feed and nest on or close to the ground. Where to Find: Urban parks and yards during winter, mountains during summer. |
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"Gray-headed" Junco (Junco hyemalis caniceps): Around Las Vegas, the local resident is the "Gray-headed" Junco of the southern Rocky Mountains. This form has a gray head and upper parts, light belly, and reddish back. Also notice the white outer tail feathers, which are typical of all juncos. |
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"Oregon" Junco (Junco hyemalis oreganus): Around Las Vegas, the "Oregon" Junco is a winter visitor. The entire head and upper breast are very dark, sometimes black. |
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"Slate-colored" Junco (Junco hyemalis hyemalis): Around Las Vegas, the all gray "Slate-colored" Junco is seen occasionally during winter. |
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"Pink-sided" Junco (Junco hyemalis mearnsi): Lighter colored "Pink-sided" Juncos are occasionally seen around Las Vegas during winter. |
 "Oregon" form of Dark-eyed Junco |
 "Oregon" form of Dark-eyed Junco |
 "Gray-headed" Dark-eyed Junco |
 "Gray-headed" Dark-eyed Junco |
 "Gray-headed" Dark-eyed Junco |
 "Gray-headed" Dark-eyed Junco |
 "Gray-headed" Junco bathing in a mountain spring |
 "Gray-headed" Dark-eyed Junco |
 Mummified carcass in the desert |
 Mummified carcass in the desert |
 Junco tail feathers, dorsal view |
 Junco tail feathers, ventral view |
 Junco feet; notice the long claws |
 Juncos are social during winter (three birds: three subspecies) |
 Dark-eyed Junco with nesting material |
 Dark-eyed Junco with nesting material |
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Note: All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate.
; Last updated 240721
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