Bird Guide

Japanese Grosbeak

Eophona personata

Least ConcernSeedsForestCup nestMedium · 80 g

About the Japanese Grosbeak

The Japanese grosbeak or Ikaru is a finch native to the East Palearctic. It is also sometimes referred to as the Japanese or masked hawfinch due to superficial similarities to the well-known Eurasian species.

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

ID tip

This is a large finch, with a reported weight of 80 g (2.8 oz) (for a single male) and a length of 18 to 23 cm (7.1 to 9.1 in). Among standard measurements, the wing chord is 10.2 to 11.7 cm (4.0 to 4.6 in), the tail is 8.3 to 9.5 cm (3.3 to 3.7 in) and the culmen is 2.1 to 2.6 cm (0.83 to 1.02 in). The signature feature of the Japanese grosbeak is its large, pointed bright yellow bill. The adult grosbeak has a large black marking extending from the nape to the chin and ear-coverts to the neck. The side of the neck is a contrasting pale whitish grey. The bird's underside is a more dull grey.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where the Japanese Grosbeak lives

Regular rangeRare visitor

Recorded as a rare visitor in North Korea, Vietnam, Norway, Mongolia.

When to see the Japanese Grosbeak

Peak activity in May · a variable species across most of its range

Easily confused with

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