Junco

:"Junco" is also a shrub in the genus "Adolphia" and the Spanish term for rushes (genus "Juncus").Taxobox
name = Juncos


image_width = 240px
image_caption = "Junco hyemalis oreganus", one of the Oregon Juncos.
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Passeriformes
familia = Emberizidae
genus = "Junco"
genus_authority = Wagler, 1831
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = "Junco hyemalis"
"Junco insularis"
"Junco phaeonotus"
"Junco vulcani"
and see text

The Juncos, genus "Junco", are small American sparrows. Their systematics are still very confusing after decades of research, with various authors accepting between three and twelve species. Despite their name appearing to derive from the Spanish term for the plant genus "Juncus" (rushes), these birds are seldom found among rush plants as these prefer wet ground while juncos rather like dry soil.

Their breeding habitat is coniferous or mixed forest areas throughout North America, ranging from subarctic taiga to high altitude mountain forests in Mexico and Central America south to Panama. Northern birds usually migrate farther south; southern populations are permanent residents or altitudinal migrants, moving only a short distance downslope to avoid severe winter weather in the mountains.

These birds forage on the ground. In winter, they often forage in flocks. They mainly eat insects and seeds. They usually nest in a well-hidden location on the ground or low in a shrub or tree.

ystematics

* Dark-eyed Junco, "Junco hyemalis"
** Gray-headed Junco, "Junco hyemalis caniceps" - sometimes considered distinct species
** Oregon Juncos, "oreganus" subspecies group - often considered distinct species
** Pink-sided Junco, "Junco hyemalis mearnsi" - sometimes included with "oreganus" group in distinct species
** Red-backed Junco, "Junco hyemalis dorsalis" - sometimes included with "J. h. caniceps" in distinct species
** Slate-colored Juncos, "hyemalis" subspecies group - sometimes considered distinct species
** White-winged Junco, "Junco hyemalis aikeni" - sometimes considered distinct species
* Guadalupe Junco, "Junco insularis" -sometimes included in "J. hyemalis"
* Yellow-eyed Junco, "Junco phaeonotus"Verify source|date=February 2008
** Baird's Junco, "bairdi" group
** Chiapas Junco , "fulvescens" group
** Guatemala Junco, "alticola" group
** Mexican Junco, "phaeonotus" group
* Volcano Junco, "Junco vulcani"