Forest and Rangeland Birds of the United States

Natural History and Habitat Use

Yellow-eyed Junco -- Junco phaeonotus

RANGE: Resident from southern Arizona and parts of New Mexico to central Mexico.

STATUS: Locally common.

HABITAT: Prefers coniferous forests and pines or oaks that are relatively open, usually above 5,000 feet. Often inhabits areas adjacent to scrub, pastures, and fields.

SPECIAL HABITAT REQUIREMENTS: Coniferous and pine-oak forests; edge-type habitat appears to be important.

NEST: Usually builds cup-shaped nest on the ground under a clump of grass or log, near a flat stone, or sometimes on the ground under a drooping pine limb or in a thick shrub.

FOOD: Feeds primarily on seeds and other vegetable material as well as some insects. Forages on the ground, but occasionally removes animal or vegetable material from the limbs of trees. Occasionally eats fruits.

REFERENCES: Bent 1968b.

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