It is the largest of this species. It is 12 percent larger than the Oregon species. It has the largest beak of all the varieties. It also has white stripes on its wings. When it flies it is more difficult to find against a white or blue sky if looking up from the ground.
It is a pale grey color with a variety of that grey throughout the body, chest and head. The tail has extensive white feathers.
The reason I chose this individual is that he appears to be slender under all those feathers. Body weight and survival, especially through winter and/or migration, matters. Birds have a very high demand for calories. When a food supply falls off, there needs to be an alternative source otherwise the birds will fail.
The Juncos tend to have variety in their diets for the reason of survival. But, if the forest is ailing in any way, including overharvest of trees for wood, the insects or other live food sources can fail as well. There is a balance, including the grains it obtains, so the forest has to be healthy and ABUNDANT.
If individuals begin to have an emaciated appearance even with plenty of feathers, that is something to be concerned with especially if that body weight loss sustains after reaching home following migration.
Being good stewards to a forest is a very responsible task, but, nature will talk to any keen observer.
