Bird Guide

Black-backed Grosbeak vs Golden Grosbeak

Black-backed Grosbeak (Pheucticus aureoventris)

Black-backed Grosbeak

Pheucticus aureoventris

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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'".

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Black-backed Grosbeak
Recorded by Niels Krabbe · Song · Chimborazo: Nabuzo, Ecuador · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Rosario Douglas · CC BY 4.0
Golden Grosbeak (Pheucticus chrysogaster)

Golden Grosbeak

Pheucticus chrysogaster

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The body averages 21 cm (8.3 in) in length. The bill is large and conical in shape, typical of most species in the family. The golden grosbeak is sexually dimorphic in plumage. Males are bright yellow with a black wing and back. They have white spots on their median and greater wing-coverts that wear over time, and older birds appear darker. The females have brown wings and brown streaks covering the head, flanks, back and rump. The immature of this species look similar to the female in plumage and is often not distinguishable in the field.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Golden Grosbeak
Recorded by Rosa Elena Albornoz @rosaelena_naturaleza · Song · San Antonio De Los Altos (near Parroquia Macarao), Los Salias, Miranda, Venezuela · CC0
Photo: Adam Jackson · CC0

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Black-backed Grosbeak and Golden Grosbeak.