Black-headed Grosbeak (Pheucticus melanocephalus)
Black-headed Grosbeak, male - Morongo Valley, CA
© Tom Benson
Black-headed Grosbeak, female - Morongo Valley, CA
© Tom Benson
The Black-headed Grosbeak is an uncommon spring and fall migrant on campus in April-May and July-September. It is a common migrant throughout southern California and a common breeding bird in woodlands from the mountains to the coast.
High Count: 5, Average Count: 1-2
The male Black-headed Grosbeak can be identified by its black head, black back and tail with large white spots, orangish neck, breast and sides, yellow belly, and deep, conical bill. Females have a brown head with a white supercilium (line above the eye), brown upperparts with white wing bars, a pale orangish cast to the neck, throat, and breast, and white bellies with brown streaking on sides.