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There are several species of finch-like Grosbeaks. In southern Arizona the Black-headed Grosbeak is a fairly common summertime visitor. Other species make rare appearances in our area.
Black-headed Grosbeaks prefer woodlands and in southern Arizona that means that they are usually found on mountain slopes. I recently photographed several individuals in the Huachuca Mountains, southeast of Tucson.
The species gets its name from the male’s plumage. Adult males have solid black heads, set off by orange breasts and abdomens. Females have multi-colored plumage that gives them a very different appearance than the males display.
This first image is of a young male, probably just about one year old.
The white streaks on his face and the absence of a solid orange breast and abdomen are evidence of his immaturity.
These next two images are of females.
Females are pretty easy to identify by their pale breasts and their striped faces.
So, what is this next bird?
Its facial plumage is neither “male” nor “female” but the bold orange plumage on its breast and abdomen say “male.” My best guess is that this is a young male, probably about the same age as the young male depicted in the first image. Grosbeaks apparently have a way of developing adult plumage that varies from individual to individual. Give this bird a couple more molts and it will likely show typical adult male plumage.
Images made with a Canon R5, Canon EF 400mm f4 DO II lens+Canon EF 1.4x telextender, supported by monopod, M setting (auto ISO), ISOs varied from 640 to 1250, all images, f5.6 @ 1/2000.
Sonoran Images 