Pheucticus melanocephalus
The Black-headed Grosbeak (Pheucticus melanocephalus) is a strikingly beautiful songbird of western North America, renowned for its rich, warbling song and vivid plumage. Males are particularly distinctive, sporting a jet-black head, a bright orange-cinnamon breast and nape fading to a yellow-orange belly, and a stark black back with prominent white patches on the wings and tail. They typically measure 18-19 cm (7.1-7.5 inches) in length, with a wingspan of 31-33 cm (12-13 inches), and weigh ...
Found primarily in open deciduous or mixed coniferous-deciduous woodlands, riparian corridors, and suburban gardens, preferring areas with dense understory. It breeds from sea level up to approximately 2700 meters (9,000 feet) in elevation.
Their diet is remarkably varied, consisting of a significant portion of insects such as beetles, caterpillars, and aphids, supplemented by snails, spiders, seeds, and various fruits and berries. They also visit backyard feeders for sunflower seeds.
Black-headed Grosbeaks are diurnal birds, actively foraging throughout the day and roosting in dense foliage at night. Their foraging strategy involves gleaning insects from leaves and branches, probing into bark, and expertly cracking seeds and fruits with their powerful bills. Males establish a...
The Black-headed Grosbeak breeds extensively across western North America, spanning from southwestern British Columbia and central Alberta, south through the western United States to central Mexico, and eastward into the central Great Plains. Its breeding distribution covers diverse habitats from...
Least Concern
- The Black-headed Grosbeak frequently hybridizes with its eastern cousin, the Rose-breasted Grosbeak, in a narrow zone across the Great Plains, producing fertile offspring. - Uniquely among songbirds, male Black-headed Grosbeaks regularly sing from the nest while incubating eggs and often share ...