The dark-eyed junco (Junco hyemalis) scientific name means winter junco – Juncos are the snowbirds of the eastern United States as they appear as winter sets in. Its common name name appears to derive from the Spanish Juncus (rushes) – however, these birds are seldom found among rush plants, as they prefer wet ground and juncos like dry soil. A little sparrow that flits about forest floors, there are 15 to 16 subspecies of this songbird that can be found in Mexico, USA and Canada. They are divided into: Slate-coloured Junco; White-winged Junco; Oregon Junco; Pink-sided Junco; and Grey-headed Junco.
