Black-headed Grosbeak
Pheucticus melanocephalus
Silhouette: Sheatherius · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderPasseriformes (Perching Birds)
- FamilyCardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies)
- GenusPheucticus (Pheucticus Grosbeaks)
- SpeciesPheucticus melanocephalus (Black-headed Grosbeak)
About the Black-headed Grosbeak
The black-headed grosbeak (Pheucticus melanocephalus) is a medium-sized, seed-eating bird in the family Cardinalidae. It is sometimes considered conspecific with the rose-breasted grosbeak (P. ludovicianus) with which it hybridizes on the American Great Plains.
The 19 cm (7.5 in) long, 47 g (1.7 oz) black-headed grosbeak is a migratory bird, with nesting grounds from southwestern British Columbia, through the western half of the United States, into central Mexico. It occurs as a vagrant further south in Central America.
Measurements: Length: 7.1–7.5 in (18–19 cm) Weight: 1.2–1.7 oz (34–48 g) Wingspan: 12.6 inches (32 cm) The black-headed grosbeak is similar in size to a common starling. As per its name, the male has a black head, and black wings and tail with prominent white patches. Its breast is dark to tawny orange in color, and its belly is yellow. The female has a brown head, neck, and back with sparrow-like black streaks. She also has white streaks down the middle of her head, over her eyes, and on her cheeks. Her breast is white, and wings and tail are grayish-brown with two white wing bars and yellowish wing edges.
The black-headed grosbeak... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Black-headed Grosbeak in Badlands National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Badlands National Park
Blue Grosbeak
Passerina caerulea
Dickcissel
Spiza americana
Indigo Bunting
Passerina cyanea
Lazuli Bunting
Passerina amoena
Northern Cardinal
Cardinalis cardinalis
Western Tanager
Piranga ludoviciana
Western Meadowlark
Sturnella neglecta
Rock Wren
Salpinctes obsoletus
Cliff Swallow
Petrochelidon pyrrhonota
Red-winged Blackbird
Agelaius phoeniceus
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rustica
Horned Lark
Eremophila alpestris
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yosemite National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 2 | Cabo Pulmo National Park | 🇲🇽 Mexico | |
| 3 | Reserva de la Biosfera Mariposa Monarca | 🇲🇽 Mexico | |
| 4 | Saguaro National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 5 | Joshua Tree National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 6 | Bahía de Loreto National Park | 🇲🇽 Mexico | |
| 7 | El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve | 🇲🇽 Mexico | |
| 8 | Acadia National Park | 🇺🇸 United States |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Black-headed Grosbeak in Badlands National Park?
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Black-headed Grosbeak sighting in Badlands National Park, based on 12 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Black-headed Grosbeak in Badlands National Park?
June has the highest sighting rate for Black-headed Grosbeak in Badlands National Park in our monthly data.