Dark-eyed Junco - (Junco hyemalis) Observation: 1/28/2021, 10:34 AM PST,

On 1/28/2021, 10:34 AM PST, in the rain, I saw six Dark-eyed Juncos - (Junco hyemalis) One was exhibiting white tail feathers, which I hadn't seen before. I thought to myself, is it molting? I learned, no this wasn't what was happening. I researched it a little on line and citing from the fifth paragraph from, https://mailtribune.com/.../untold-stories-of-the-dark.... I found out why the flash of white tail feathers. "There are at least two reasons. First, it is a way to communicate with others of its kind. White outer tail feathers are common among many species that flock. A flash of white out of the corner of a bird’s eye, and it knows it is still with the flock. If a predator appears, all a bird has to do is keep the tail folded to conceal the white."

Posted on January 29, 2021 08:35 PM by kathleenlryan