From Opus

Photo by Michael W
Photo taken: Sawmill Canyon, Fort Huachuca, Arizona.

Junco phaeonotus

[edit] Identification

14cm. Conical bill with dark upper mandible, yellow eyes, dark lores, grey head and breast, rusty back, white outer tail feathers.

[edit] Distribution

Southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico, Mexico, and Guatemala.

[edit] Taxonomy

There are four subspecies:

• Mexican Junco, Junco phaeonotus phaeonotus - Mexico, southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico.

• Baird's Junco, Junco phaeonotus bairdi - Baja California Sur

• Chiapas Junco, Junco phaeonotus fulvescens - southeast Mexico.

• Guatemala Junco, Junco phaeonotus alticola group - southeast Mexico and Guatemala.

[edit] Habitat

High mountain areas.

[edit] Behaviour

It builds an open nest of dried grass. 3-5 pale grey or bluish-white eggs are laid and there are 2-3 broods a year. Incubation takes 15 days, and the young fledge 2 weeks later.

The diet includes seeds, berries and insects.

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