rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryjuncoSmall North American bird
noun

junco

JUNG-koh/dʒˈʌŋkoʊ/

A small North American sparrow, often gray and white.

The junco has a gray back, white belly, and pink bill.

A dark-eyed junco, small gray North American songbird with white belly and pink bill, perched on a snowy twig, accurate plumage.
Etymology
juncoLatinreed, rush

The “reed” word first appeared in English as a name for the reed-sparrow. Its application to the North American snow-bird came through its use as a scientific genus name.

In context

Ecotasia0:58
With a dark head, grey body and white breast, this is a slate colored Junco. This bird, having a black head, but rusty flanks is known as an Oregon Junco.
What is a Junco? Dark-eyed Junco Identification

More examples

  • Several juncos searched the snowy ground.
  • The junco flashed white tail feathers as it flew.
  • She identified the small gray bird as a junco.

Forms

junco · juncos

Similar words

sparrow
Sparrow is the broader bird category; junco identifies a particular group of North American sparrows.