Yellow-eyed Junco

About the Yellow-eyed Junco

The Yellow-eyed Junco is a striking ground-dwelling sparrow of the Southwest, easily recognized by its bright yellow eyes and contrasting gray head with rich brown back. Often seen hopping along forest floors in mountainous regions, it moves deliberately through leaf litter in search of seeds and insects. Its bold eye color makes it stand out even in shaded woodland settings.

Fun Facts

• Bright Yellow Eyes: Its vivid yellow eye is one of its most distinctive features.
• Mountain Resident: In the United States, it is found mainly in the mountains of Arizona and New Mexico.
• Ground Forager: Like other juncos, it feeds mostly on the ground, searching for seeds and small insects.
• High-Elevation Breeder: They breed in pine-oak woodlands at higher elevations.