Black-headed Grosbeak

Black-headed Grosbeaks are striking summer residents throughout much of the western U.S.

by John Rakestraw
Photograph (C) 2009 Rick Brumble

Black-headed Grosbeak males are bright cinnamon, with black heads. The black wings and tail have large white spots, and the belly and underside of the wings are yellow. Females are duller brown overall, with a pale eyebrow stripe and collar. The wings have two whitish wing bars. The underparts are buffy to pale cinnamon with fine streaks along the sides. As their name suggests, Black-headed Grosbeaks have massive bills. The upper mandible is dark gray, while the lower is paler. Young birds resemble adult females, although young males may show brighter cinnamon underparts than females. Males often do not reach full adult plumage until they are almost two years old.

The song of Black-headed Grosbeaks is a loud, rolling warble, similar to the song of an American Robin, but not as smooth. Their call note is a high sharp PWEEK. Both sexes sing, often while sitting on the nest.

Black-headed Grosbeaks arrive in Oregon in April. The female constructs a cup-shaped nest of loosely woven twigs and grasses, which house the clutch of 2-5 eggs. By late July, males have already started their southward migration. Females follow soon after. Young birds can be seen into early September before joining the adults in Mexico for the winter.

Their diet includes both insects and fruit, and they are frequent visitors to bird feeders offering black oil sunflower seeds. Platform feeders or tube feeders with trays are most attractive to these large songbirds.