About the Black-headed Grosbeak
The black-headed grosbeak is a medium-sized, seed-eating bird in the family Cardinalidae. It is sometimes considered conspecific with the rose-breasted grosbeak with which it hybridizes on the American Great Plains.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
Measurements: Length: 7.1–7.5 in (18–19 cm) Weight: 1.2–1.7 oz (34–48 g) Wingspan: 12.6 inches (32 cm) The black-headed grosbeak is similar in size to a common starling. As per its name, the male has a black head, and black wings and tail with prominent white patches. Its breast is dark to tawny orange in color, and its belly is yellow. The female has a brown head, neck, and back with sparrow-like black streaks. She also has white streaks down the middle of her head, over her eyes, and on her cheeks. Voice: The grosbeak's song is a rich warble that is similar to that of an American robin, but more fluent, faster, softer, sweeter, and mellow with rising and falling passages that make the song much longer than the robin's. The note is a sharp ik or eek. Both the male and female sing, but have different songs.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
What the Black-headed Grosbeak sounds like
Where the Black-headed Grosbeak lives
When to see the Black-headed Grosbeak
Peak activity in May · a summer visitor species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Rose-breasted GrosbeakPheucticus ludovicianusAdult birds are 18–22 cm (7.1–8.7 in) long, span 29–33 cm (11–13 in) across the wings and weigh 35–65 g (1.2–2.3 oz).
Golden GrosbeakPheucticus chrysogasterThe body averages 21 cm (8.3 in) in length.
Black-backed GrosbeakPheucticus aureoventrisThe 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).
Side by side: Black-headed Grosbeak vs Rose-breasted Grosbeak
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