Vermont Rare Bird Reports 2021

clear no precipitation

Swarovski SLC 8x30 WB

I've seen it several times on past trips to the west. However, did need to use reference books to reconfirm my identification. Very comfortable identifying the junco species that inhabits our area. This bird had strikingly different coloring and markings.

The bird feeder is located in an area about 30 feet front the front of my house. It is next to a mowed lawn. Behind and to the side of the feeder are lilac bushes. At the time the bird was observed there were 12 other juncos present (Dark eyed juncos) - 10 males and 2 females. Also at the time there were 2 titmice, 12 chickadees, 2 blue jays, 1 white-throated sparrow,1 red nuthatch and 1 white nuthatch. I was participating in the Project Feeder Watch and this was one of my count days.

The bird was feeding under the bird feeder and also in the areas under the lilacs. It was constantly moving around looking for seeds to eat. It was near enough to the other juncos that were feeding so I could see the distinct differences in their plumage. It stayed very much to itself. It did leave when the other juncos left but came back a second time with the group. I was inside the house so it didn't interact with me.

The bird was distinctly different in color than the other juncos I observed which caught my attention that this could be a different bird than what usually comes to my feeder. The bird had more white on its underparts as well as having more cinnamon brown along the sides of the chest. The head was dark gray with a very defined line like a hood. The gray did not go below the wings. I actually checked this out several times because when I eventually checked my reference books of similar possible species this defined line stood out very clearly when I was actually looking at the bird with my binoculars. In addition the back area of the bird was brownish not gray.

same size and shape as the other juncos at the feeder

The head was dark gray. The gray was in a defined hood shape above the wings, The eyes had a dark lore. The throat was white with a cinnamon color along the sides and under the wings.

Did not observe any significant differences . Similar to the other juncos that were present

Below the defined gray hood the upper back was brownish rather than the gray of the other juncos

This area was also brownish rather than gray

brownish

the breast was white with cinnamon color along the sides which went under the wings. The under tail was white

the tail was brownish with white along the side

The bird was in a flock of 12 other juncos (10 males and 2 females). The bird was so strikingly different in coloration that it stood out.

The color of the bird made me believe it was a female because the head had a gray hood as opposed to a black hood of the male.