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Black-headed Grosbeak (Pheucticus melanocephalus)

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Grosbeaks and Monarchs

Black-headed Grosbeaks are one of very few birds that regularly eat Monarch butterflies. Most birds and other animals find the butterflies unpalatable, if not downright toxic. The caterpillars of Monarchs consume milkweeds that contain toxic substances known as cardenolides. The poison is stored... read more »

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Topics & Themes:  science
Related bird:  Black-headed Grosbeak (Pheucticus melanocephalus)

Mistaken Identity

This Band-tailed Pigeon may sound like an owl, but it's a case of mistaken identity. The song of the American Robin could be confused with that of the Black-headed Grosbeak. And then, there's the Black-capped Chickadee. At certain times of year, the male sings "Fee-bee, fee-bee," even though it's... read more »

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Topics & Themes:  birdwatching, birdwatching by ear, vocalization
Related bird:  Band-tailed Pigeon (Patagioenas fasciata), Black-headed Grosbeak (Pheucticus melanocephalus), Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)

Where Are They Now?

Where have the birds of summer gone? The Swainson's Thrush is wintering in Central or South America, maybe as far south as Bolivia. Warbling Vireos are now spread through much of Central America, while Black-headed Grosbeaks have migrated to Mexico. This Orange-crowned Warbler also makes Mexico... read more »

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Topics & Themes:  migration, vocalization
Related bird:  Orange-crowned Warbler (Oreothlypis celata), Swainson's Thrush (Catharus ustulatus), Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus), Black-headed Grosbeak (Pheucticus melanocephalus)

Grosbeaks' Beaks

Black-headed Grosbeaks and Evening Grosbeaks belong to entirely different families of birds. Both groups evolved oversized bills for opening tough seeds. The Black-headed Grosbeak is closely related to the cardinal, while the Evening Grosbeak is close kin to the goldfinch. The common name they... read more »

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Topics & Themes:  ornithology
Related bird:  Evening Grosbeak (Coccothraustes vespertinus), Black-headed Grosbeak (Pheucticus melanocephalus)

Why Birds Sing

Why do birds sing? Ornithologists have learned that the longer hours of light that come with spring trigger the release of hormones in birds. These hormones prompt the enlargement of the birds' gonads which, in turn, stimulate male birds to sing. Male birds - like this Black-headed Grosbeak - can... read more »

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Topics & Themes:  breeding display, nesting, vocalization
Related bird:  Black-headed Grosbeak (Pheucticus melanocephalus)

Singing Like a Bird and Feeling Good

Every now and then, don’t you just want to belt it out? Imagine singing like a Black-headed Grosbeak! Or what about a Carolina Wren? Picture warbling like a House Finch. All this just too rambunctious for you? The call of the American Bittern more your style? Or this Yellow-headed Blackbird?... read more »

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Topics & Themes:  humor, sound
Related bird:  Yellow-headed Blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus), Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps), Black-headed Grosbeak (Pheucticus melanocephalus), Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus), House Finch (Carpodacus mexicanus), American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus)
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Black-headed Grosbeak sings

Sound a little like a drunken robin? It's a Black-headed Grosbeak. Thanks, George Jameson, for sharing this video! read more »

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Mistaken Identity