Golden Grosbeak

Pheucticus chrysogaster

Cardinals and Allies · Passeriformes · Uncommon

The Golden Grosbeak (Pheucticus chrysogaster) is a uncommon cardinal found in 4 countries, weighing about 56 g. The golden grosbeak, also known as golden-bellied grosbeak or southern yellow grosbeak, is a species of grosbeak in the family Cardinalidae.

Least ConcernUncommonEats omnivoreforestcup nest56 g

About the Golden Grosbeak

The golden grosbeak, also known as golden-bellied grosbeak or southern yellow grosbeak, is a species of grosbeak in the family Cardinalidae. It is similar to, and has sometimes been considered conspecific with, the yellow grosbeak.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

How to identify it

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.

What the Golden Grosbeak sounds like

Recording: Niels Krabbe · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto
Recording: Niels Krabbe · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto
Recording: Niels Krabbe · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto

Where it lives

When to see it

The Golden Grosbeak can be seen all year round, with peak activity in November. It is a resident species across most of its range.

Easily confused with

Quick questions

How do you identify a Golden Grosbeak?
The body averages 21 cm (8.3 in) in length. Full identification notes are on this page.
How big is a Golden Grosbeak?
The Golden Grosbeak is a small sized bird weighing about 56 g.
Where can you see a Golden Grosbeak?
The Golden Grosbeak occurs in 4 countries, including Ecuador, Peru, Colombia and Venezuela.
What does a Golden Grosbeak sound like?
You can listen to 3 field recordings of the Golden Grosbeak on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
What birds look similar to a Golden Grosbeak?
The Golden Grosbeak is most easily confused with the Black-backed Grosbeak, the Yellow Grosbeak and the Black-thighed Grosbeak.
Is the Golden Grosbeak endangered?
The Golden Grosbeak is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Learn the Golden Grosbeak for real

BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.

Play BeakBrain

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