On 22 May 1976 Caryn Talbot and I watched a Gray-headed Junco (Junco caniceps) for about 20 minutes as it fed among willows (Salix sp.) 3.2 km NE of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Headquarters, Harney County, Oregon. The bird was seen clearly several times within 6 m, under excellent lighting conditions. This not only represented the first refuge record, but also the first Oregon record.
The individual was slightly larger than the Dark-eyed Junco (J. hyemalis oreganus) and had ash gray coloration on the head, sides and upper breast, contrasting with white underparts. The lores and ocular region was blackish, and the white rectrices were obvious. The rusty back was observed clearly several times at close range. Collecting was impossible at this site. I am familiar with all species of juncos in North America, and have spent time observing and studying Gray-headed Juncos in Colorado, west Texas and southeastern Arizona.