The Juncos, genus Junco, are small American sparrows.
Their breeding habitat is coniferous or mixed forest areas throughout North America, ranging from subarctic taiga to high altitude mountain forests. 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.
