Black-headed Grosbeak

Status Eight records. An adult male of this species was identified in her garden at Digby by Louise Daley on 31 October 1965. She was able to study it closely under excellent light conditions. A young male appeared at Beulah Berman's feeder at Barrington Passage, Shelburne County, in early November 1973; it stayed until at least 15 November and was seen by several observers and photographed by Ian A. McLaren. Another bird was seen by Edgar Spalding at Economy, Colchester County, on the unusual date of 18 May 1977. His description leaves little doubt that this was a near-adult male. Individuals seen by Alban Richard on Sable Island on 18-19 September 1978 and by Robert Turner at Sable River on 3 October 1980 were in the unmistakable adult male plumage. From their descriptions, birds documented as females on 10 August 1977 at Amherst (C. Desplanque), 15 October 1977 at West Pubnico, Yarmouth County (T. D'Eon), and on 13 October 1979 in Dartmouth (J.S. Cohrs, J. McLaren) could also have been young, richly coloured males, but in none was the diagnostic yellow on the belly noted.

Remarks This western relative of the Rose-breasted Grosbeak is occasional in the east.

Adult Black-headed Grosbeak males are unmistakable, and young males are a far richer orange-buff below than either male or female Rose-breasted Grosbeaks. However, Black-headed Grosbeak females and immature males can be confusing— look for yellow on the lower breast or belly.