"Red-backed" Dark-eyed Junco  (Junco hyemalis dorsalis), Columbus Park, Pima County

This "Red-backed" Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis dorsalis) was discovered by Philip Kline 30 Nov 2009 and photographed by Andrew Core on 01 December 2009.

The "Red-Backed" subspecies of the Dark-eyed Junco (J. h. dorsalis) breeds in the north central mountains of Arizona and New Mexico, although it has occurred in the mountains of SE Arizona occasionally.  It is largely sedentary, showing only altitudinal migration.

Differs from "Gray-headed" Dark-eyed Junco (J.h. caniceps) in having a bicolored bill (dark gray upper mandible, silvery lower mandible). Yellow-eyed Junco (J. phaeonotus) has more extensive rufous in the wing coverts, brighter yellow lower mandible, and of course a yellow eye.  For more information on these forms see here. 

01 December 2009, photo by Andrew Core