Unknown bird at my backyard feeder in California - ID help (1 Viewer)

H

Hockey.Lover

Well-known member

• Apr 21, 2007

• #1

I saw this bird today at my feeder. Have no clue since I've never seen it before. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Gail

 

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Blackstart

Saxophonus pinus

• Apr 21, 2007

• #2

Hockey.Lover said:

I saw this bird today at my feeder. Have no clue since I've never seen it before. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Gail

Click to expand...

Hi Gail,

It looks like a female Black-headed Grosbeak.

Adam

 

Dave Hall

Bumbling Bears

• Apr 21, 2007

• #3

Hi for me bicoloured bill and the fine streaks on the flanks make this Black-headed Grosbeak

 

H

Hockey.Lover

Well-known member

• Apr 21, 2007

• #4

Thank you so much Dave and Adam for the quick responses. This is great. I have never seen a Grosbeak before...I can't wait to see if the male decides to make an appearance.

Gail

 

AlexC

Aves en Los Ángeles

Opus Editor

• Apr 21, 2007

• #5

Dave gives some good pointers for why this is a female Black-headed Grosbeak, although Sibley notes that as the adult female gets into breeding plumage (March - nowish) "breast may become whitish; fine streaks also disappear."

 

H

Hockey.Lover

Well-known member

• Apr 21, 2007

• #6

AlexC said:

Dave gives some good pointers for why this is a female Black-headed Grosbeak, although Sibley notes that as the adult female gets into breeding plumage (March - nowish) "breast may become whitish; fine streaks also disappear."

Click to expand...

I saw that too, Alex. Thanks.

 

JANJ

Well-known member

• Apr 21, 2007

• #7

Hi all.

Also agree to female Black-headed Grosbeak. Although range hardly overlap a Rose-breasted may wander and cause ID problems. In spring RBG usually are whitish below with rather broader streaks also on the breast. BHG are usually buffy with less - much finer streaking usually absent the breast - if not to worn. Bill colour is a help, pink in RBG - bicoloured, dark grey on upper mandible pale grey on lower, which Gails bird finely demonstrates.

http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~jmorlan/grbkid.htm

JanJ

 

Storm-Petrel

registered dude

• Apr 21, 2007

• #8

Black headed Grosbeak