Learn what every symbol on the card means.Full credits and sources at beakbrain.com/symbols
ForestCup nestSmall · 49 g
What the Black-backed Grosbeak sounds like
ID tip
The black-backed grosbeak is approximately 22 cm (8.7 in) long and weighs 43.8 to 66.2 grams (1.54 to 2.34 oz). All of the subspecies except P. a. crissalis are very similar. The males' upperparts are black with a yellow shoulder patch; the closed wings show white patches. The chin, throat, and upper breast are also black. The lower breast and belly are bright yellow with a variable amount of black flecking on the sides and flanks. The female is similar but browner and has yellow mottling on the upperside and dusky speckles on the underside. P. a. Voice: The black-backed grosbeak's song is "a rich, melodious series of whistled notes". Its call is "a sharp 'keck'".
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
When to see the Black-backed Grosbeak
One bar for each month, and every month is filled: this bird is recorded here in all twelve. The wide bar is October, the month with the most records.
Where to see the Black-backed Grosbeak
The map shades 8 countries with regular records, and 2 more in a lighter tone where the bird turns up only as a stray. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.
Recorded as a rare visitor in United States, Chile.
About the Black-backed Grosbeak
The black-backed grosbeak is a bird in the family Cardinalidae, the cardinals or cardinal grosbeaks. It is found in Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, and Venezuela. They are often kept as cagebirds.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Easily confused with
Yellow GrosbeakPheucticus chrysopeplusThe yellow grosbeak, also known as the Mexican yellow grosbeak, is a medium-sized seed-eating bird in the same family as the northern cardinal, "tropical" or "New World" buntings, and "cardinal-grosbeaks" or New World grosbeaks.
Black-thighed GrosbeakPheucticus tibialisThe black-thighed grosbeak is a large seed-eating bird in the family Cardinalidae, which is endemic to the mountains of Costa Rica and western Panama.
Golden GrosbeakPheucticus chrysogasterThe body averages 21 cm (8.3 in) in length.
Side by side: Black-backed Grosbeak vs Rose-breasted Grosbeak · Black-backed Grosbeak vs Black-headed Grosbeak · Black-backed Grosbeak vs Golden Grosbeak
Learn the Black-backed Grosbeak in the BeakBrain App
Photo and call practice. Coming soon to iPhone and Android.
Play today's Daily BirdEvery photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.