Black-headed Grosbeak

About

The Black-headed Grosbeak is a medium-sized, stocky songbird known for its striking plumage, particularly in males, and its melodious, robin-like song. It is a common and widespread species across western North America, favoring deciduous and mixed woodlands.

Size & lifespan

Length

18-20 cm (7.1-7.9 in)

Wingspan

31-33 cm (12.2-13.0 in)

Weight

38-55 g (1.3-1.9 oz)

Lifespan

Typically 3-5 years in the wild, with records up to 10 years.

Diet

Omnivore, primarily insects and seeds, supplemented with fruits and berries.

Physical characteristics

Plumage

Adult males have a black head, orange-cinnamon breast and belly, white lower belly, and a black back with white streaking. The wings are black with prominent white patches and bars. The tail is black with white outer tail feathers. Adult females are duller, with a streaky brown head and back, buffy-orange breast, and streaked flanks. They have two buffy wing bars and a pale supercilium. Juveniles resemble females but are often more heavily streaked.

Beak shape

Large, conical, and stout, pale gray to horn-colored, ideal for cracking seeds.

Eye color

Dark brown.

Leg color

Dark gray to black.

Distinguishing features

Males are unmistakable with their black head and orange-cinnamon underparts. Females are identified by their large, conical bill, streaky brown plumage, and buffy-orange wash on the breast, often with a pale supercilium.

Juvenile appearance

Juveniles resemble adult females but are generally more heavily streaked on the underparts and back, with less distinct markings. Young males may show hints of orange on the breast.

Seasonal changes

No significant seasonal plumage changes. Breeding and non-breeding plumages are essentially the same for both sexes, though colors may appear slightly brighter after a fresh molt.

Sexual dimorphism

Pronounced. Males are much more brightly colored with a black head and vibrant orange-cinnamon underparts, while females are duller, streaky brown and buff.

How to identify

1. 1

   Male Plumage

   Look for the solid black head, vibrant orange-cinnamon breast and belly, and black back with white streaking. The large white wing patches are also distinctive.

2. 2

   Female Plumage

   Identify by the large, conical bill, streaky brown upperparts, buffy-orange wash on the breast, and two buffy wing bars. A pale supercilium is often present.

3. 3

   Song

   Listen for the rich, warbling, robin-like song, which is a continuous, flowing series of phrases. It's often described as 'liquid' or 'sweet'.

4. 4

   Call

   Listen for the sharp, metallic 'chink' or 'spink' call, often given in flight or as an alarm.

5. 5

   Bill Shape

   The large, conical bill is a key feature for both sexes, distinguishing them from many other songbirds.

Habitat & range

Biomes

Deciduous forests, mixed woodlands, riparian corridors, suburban gardens, orchards.

Geographic range

Breeds across western North America, from southern British Columbia and Alberta south through the western United States to central Mexico. Winters in Mexico and Central America.

Elevation range

Sea level up to 2,700 meters (9,000 feet), primarily in foothills and lower mountain slopes.

Preferred environments

Prefers open deciduous or mixed woodlands with a dense understory, especially along streams and rivers. Also found in suburban areas with mature trees and shrubs.

Behavior

Activity time

Diurnal.

Feeding habits

Forages in trees and shrubs, gleaning insects from foliage and bark. Also eats seeds, berries, and fruits. Will visit bird feeders for sunflower seeds. Known to eat monarch butterflies, which are toxic to many other birds.

Social behavior

Typically solitary or found in pairs during the breeding season. May form small flocks during migration and in wintering grounds.

Flight pattern

Strong, undulating flight, typical of many finch-like birds. Often flies high between trees.

Migration pattern

Long-distance Neotropical migrant. Arrives on breeding grounds in late April to May and departs for wintering grounds in Mexico and Central America from August to October.

Territoriality

Males establish and defend breeding territories through song and displays.

Breeding & reproduction

Breeding season

May to July.

Nesting habits

Nests are typically built by both sexes, usually in a deciduous tree or large shrub, 2-10 meters (6-30 feet) above the ground. The nest is a loose, open cup made of twigs, rootlets, weeds, and sometimes lined with finer materials.

Clutch size

3-5 eggs, typically 4.

Egg description

3-5 eggs, pale blue to greenish-blue, speckled with reddish-brown or purplish spots, particularly at the larger end.

Incubation period

12-14 days, primarily by the female, though the male may assist.

Fledging period

10-14 days after hatching.

Parental care

Both parents feed the nestlings and fledglings. Males are known to be very attentive fathers.

Where to find

Field tips

1. Listen for the song. Their distinctive, rich song is often the first indication of their presence, especially during the breeding season. They often sing from high, exposed perches.
2. Check feeders. If you have a feeder with sunflower seeds, keep an eye out, especially in spring and early summer. Their large bill makes them efficient seed crackers.
3. Scan tree canopies. They often forage high in trees. Use binoculars to scan the upper branches of deciduous trees and shrubs.

Similar species

Quick facts

Diet:

Omnivorous (insects, seeds, fruits)

Habitat:

Deciduous and mixed woodlands

Migration:

Long-distance Neotropical migrant

Song:

Rich, warbling, robin-like

Conservation Status:

Least Concern

Fun facts

• Black-headed Grosbeaks are one of the few birds that can safely eat monarch butterflies, which are toxic to most other birds due to the milkweed toxins they ingest as caterpillars. The grosbeaks are able to tolerate these toxins.
• Males and females often sing duets, especially during courtship. Both sexes also sing while incubating eggs.
• In areas where their range overlaps with the Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus), particularly in the Great Plains, hybridization is common, leading to individuals with mixed plumage characteristics.
• Their large, powerful bill allows them to crack open tough seeds that many other birds cannot access.

Scientific classification

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Aves

Order

Passeriformes

Family

Cardinalidae

Genus

Pheucticus

Species

Pheucticus melanocephalus

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