Junco experts - Alberta, Canada (1 Viewer)

[ebo2112]

I’m confused about Junco hyemalis (cismontanus) versus Junco hyemalis (mearnsi)
Was there a taxonomic change? Or which is a subspecies of what?
I’m just using eBird and checked avibase. Any insights appreciated!
Cheers
E2

Here are my pics (single individual) from Edmonton, Alberta Canada.

 

[AveryBartels]

Per Birdsoftheworld: cismontanus and mearnsi are both subspecies. Cismontanus is in the "Slate-colored" group and mearnsi on the "Oregon" group.

Identifying cismontanus (especially females such as your bird) away from their breeding grounds is notoriously tricky. I don't have any experience of mearnsi so can't comment on that. It takes a serious commitment to learn the subtleties of Dark-eyed Junco subspecies ID so for any but the most keen, simply avoiding using subspecies designations in eBird is the best (and recommended by eBird) route.

 

[ebo2112]

Thank you for your insightful reply. Really appreciate it.
signed,
still learning…