Dennis,
I was interested in your description of the pink-sided junco. you mentioned
the strong contrast between the plain grey heads and the brown back. The
illustrations that I can find, NGS birds of NA and Peterson's Western Birds,
show a slightly different degree of contrast. Niether would I consider a
strong contrast.
I realise that these are only artist's renditions. And I was wondering which
illustration would be more accurate.
The flock that I have around the house shows amazing variation. with a couple
that I would like to rule out (or in) as pink-sided.
Thanks,

Fred Rutan
Port Orchard