A Pictorial Study of Dark-eyed Junco Tail Feathers

This morning, we had a couple of hours to kill while waiting for an oil change at our local auto shop in Monte Rio, California. Naturally, we wandered around and birded at nearby Dutch Bill Creek.
 
It rained overnight, but by mid-morning the skies were clear, the sun was out, and so were the birds. At a small but flowing tributary of Dutch Bill Creek, we got a front row seat to a group of bathing birds, including several Dark-eyed Juncos.

The Dark-eyed Junco is a ubiquitous bird throughout the United States. Interestingly, prior to 1973, there were five distinct species of junco which were subsequently lumped into today’s single recognized species, Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis). Where we live in Northern California, we’re most likely to see the “Oregon” group (which includes eight distinct subspecies).
 
Though different parts of the country enjoy different subspecies of Dark-eyed Junco, all share the plumage characteristic of white outer tail feathers, most often noticed in flight. Today we got the chance to look closely at the tail feathers while the birds preened after bathing.
 
A male Dark-eyed Junco (as evidenced by the black hood) is featured in the three-photo sequence below. Note how when his tail is closed, the white outer tail feathers are completely hidden beneath the dark central tail feathers. The tail begins to spread in the second photo, and by the third photo you can see that: (1) the outermost tail feather is entirely white, (2) the second outermost feather is mostly white, with a small amount of dark gray towards the base of the shaft, and (3) the third outermost feather has a thin white stripe, but is otherwise dark.

 
Female and immature birds have a less-contrasting dark hood than males. On the female below, you can see the same pattern as the tail starts to spread.

 
Observing a bird while it’s drying off or preening can reveal feathers and feather arrangements that are not typically visible while perched. The next time you see a bird taking a bath in a puddle, try to notice something new!
 
Simply being outside and paying attention to our surroundings has occasionally resulted in other wildlife encounters. Today we lucked out and noticed an American Mink at the creek!

And lastly, for some reason eBird rejected our observation of the below Moss-tipped Shoebill. What gives?!