The tutor shares a welcome backyard observation.

Here on Vancouver Island, we’ve had a cold winter. Normally, we get spring weather starting by mid-February – not this year. It’s slowed down my activity as a naturalist.

Today, however, I noticed a couple of Oregon dark-eyed juncos in the backyard. At first, I saw two robins on the lawn, but quickly noticed two smaller birds (the juncos) near them.

Decisive features were the black head, light-colored beak and breast, and the flash of white tail feathers as they flew. The male had pink or orange shading on his shoulders. They hung around for about ten minutes.

I’m sure I’ve seen lots of these juncos, but never identified one. They live on Vancouver Island year-round.

Source:

Robbins, Chandler S. et al. Birds of North America: a guide to field identification. New York: Golden Press, 1966.

www.allaboutbirds.org

Jack of Oracle Tutoring by Jack and Diane, Campbell River, BC.