Bird Guide

Golden Grosbeak vs Rose-breasted Grosbeak

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
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus)

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Pheucticus ludovicianus

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Adult 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). Grosbeaks measured during migration in the West Indies averaged 43 g (1.5 oz), while those banded in Pennsylvania average about 45 g (1.6 oz). Very little sexual dimorphism in size is seen; females were found to be marginally smaller in standard measurements, but in some seasons were marginally heavier than males when banded in Pennsylvania. At all ages and in both sexes, the beak is dusky horn-colored, and the feet and eyes are dark.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Recorded by Jonathon Jongsma · Call · Wild River State Park, Chisago County, Minnesota, United States · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: USFWS Midwest Region from Midwest Region, United States · Public domain

Where you might meet both

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