The Field Identification of the “Hooded” Juncos is officially a work-in-progress. I will cover four subspecies in the document; Slate-colored, Cassiar, Oregon (J. h. montaus as well as J. h. shufeldti) and Pink-sided. I managed to glean all my previous references, as well as gather photos that were previously sent by Ontario birders. This will be self-published and self-edited work, completely open to scrutiny/improvement upon completion. Any additional information/corrections made, will result in an updated PDF. In the meantime, if you have any photos of “hooded” juncos (Cassiar or Oregon…or even a brownish Slate-colored), I’d love to review them and possibly include them in the article! Photos can be sent to eontbird@gmail.com. Please include the date of the observation and the city/town, as well as the county, within Ontario. I think that’s all for now…Good birding.

Oregon Dark-eyed Junco     (Junco hyemalis montanus) and (Junco hyemalis shufeldti) J. h. montanus and J. h. shufeldti

Slate-colored Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis hyemalis)

Pink-sided Dark-eyed Junco   (Junco hyemalis mearnsi)

Cassiar Dark-eyed Junco     (Junco hyemalis cismonatnus)

My wife and I thank you for an amazing 2021 tour year! Thanks for supporting Eastern Ontario Birding! I hope that you learned more about birding in eastern Ontario and had fun while doing so. Continue reading Happy Holidays! →

As winter weather sets in all throughout eastern Ontario, backyard birdwatchers may peer outside and see little “fluffballs” resting on branches. You’re bearing witness to one of their cold-weather survival strategies. Continue reading How birds stay warm in the extreme cold →

As the fall colours mature and the days begin to grow cold and weary, birders tend to lose the passion that once was for Passerines, and shift toward new birding horizons. As understandable a paradigm shift this may be, don’t give up on the Songbirds just yet, I say! Continue reading “Late” Warbler Appreciation Month! →

This web article covers some of the less-discussed and more subtle field marks to keep an eye out for when you encounter a Bay-breasted/Blackpoll in the field this fall.

Continue reading Bay-breasted vs. Blackpoll Warblers in Fall →

Private Tours with Eastern Ontario Birding

Ever wanted the guide all to yourselves? Well, now you have the opportunity! I will be providing private tours from July through to December of 2021. Private tours are available on a first come-first served basis. Continue reading Private tour information →

Learning birdsong can be quite a challenge. For some, mnemonics work quite well, for example, the commonly-heard sweet-sweet-shredded wheat of a Yellow Warbler as it sings from a roadside thicket. For others (myself included) visualization is perhaps the essential element to learning each song and getting them glued to the memory bank. Continue reading “Looking” at Similar Songs →

In light of recent COVID-19 updates, the updates of government authorities and of professionals in the health field, I’ve dropped tours until further notice. Continue reading COVID-19 & tours; an update →

Hi everyone,

I will be continuing on with Field Trips, however, a few changes will be taking place in order to ensure the health and safety of all participants.
Continue reading COVID-19 & EOB’s approach to tours →

Birds are very alert animals. They very often see and hear other birds before you do. This is especially true of bird groups which happen to be favoured items on another birdies take-out menu! Continue reading Following birds’ glances →