Dark-eyed Junco

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Dark-eyed Junco in the UK

A rare vagrant from North America. There are several dozen accepted British records, the first a male trapped at Dungeness, Kent, on 26 May 1960. Ireland's first was earlier, in County Clare in 1905. More than half have been in England, with others in Scotland and Wales. Most have been found in spring, which suggests they crossed the Atlantic the previous autumn, or came over on ships, and were noticed only when they started to move north. It has never bred here. Some birds have stayed for weeks at garden feeders.

Where and when to see a Dark-eyed Junco

Records are scattered across Britain with no single hotspot, though the coast takes more than inland. April and May are the peak months, and there are no records at all for August or September. Gardens with bird tables, churchyards, parks and bird observatory trapping areas account for most finds. Many are spotted first by householders who notice an odd grey bird under the feeders, then confirmed by local birders from a photo.

Habitat, diet and field notes

Habitat: Gardens (rare vagrant).
Diet: Seeds.
Field note: Slate-grey with white belly.

How to identify a Dark-eyed Junco

The size and shape of a House Sparrow. The head, breast and upperparts are plain slate-grey, cut off sharply from a white belly, as if the bird had been dipped in grey paint. The bill is pale pink. White outer tail feathers flash when it flies up. Females and young birds are browner on the back and flanks but keep the same pattern. It feeds on the ground, hopping under bushes and feeders, and flicks its tail open as it moves.

Call and song

The usual call is a short, hard 'tick' or a sharp smacking note. The song, a dry, even trill on one pitch, is rarely heard here. Heard something you cannot place? Bird Hear identifies UK birds from a 10 second recording, free in your browser.

Confusion species

• Dunnock: Dunnock also creeps under feeders and has a grey head and breast, but its back is streaked brown and it has a thin dark bill.
• Chaffinch: Chaffinch shows white outer tail feathers too, but has two bold white wing bars and is never plain grey above.

Related guide Rare birds in the UK.

Conservation status and Birdedex points

In the Birdedex the Dark-eyed Junco is a Legendary tier bird, worth +50 points when you log one. It is not on the Red or Amber lists in Birds of Conservation Concern 5.

Recent UK sightings

Similar birds

• Black-faced BuntingLegendary · Coastal scrub (very rare vagrant)
• Evening GrosbeakLegendary · Gardens (extreme vagrant)
• Mourning DoveLegendary · Gardens
• Pine BuntingLegendary · Stubble (very rare vagrant)
• Rock PartridgeLegendary · Mountains (very rare vagrant)
• White-throated SparrowLegendary · Hedges

Dark-eyed Junco: quick answers

Has a Dark-eyed Junco ever been seen in the UK?

Yes. There are several dozen accepted British records, starting with one at Dungeness in Kent in May 1960. Birds have been found in England, Scotland and Wales.

When is the best time to see Dark-eyed Junco?

April and May, when most British birds have been found. A few have also wintered in gardens and been seen daily for weeks. Long-staying garden birds are the ones most people get to see.

What does a Dark-eyed Junco eat?

Mostly seeds picked from the ground. In Britain birds have fed on spilt seed below garden feeders alongside sparrows, Chaffinches and Dunnocks. It adds insects in the breeding season.

Kit that helps

Best bird feeders and food for UK gardens. Affiliate links, our own picks, no extra cost to you.