# Black-headed Grosbeak (*Pheucticus melanocephalus*) The Black-headed Grosbeak is a colorful bird with a bright orange body and a black head. They love to sing beautiful songs and can be found in forests and gardens, especially during spring and summer. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 25 - **Habitat:** Forests ![Black-headed Grosbeak](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Pheucticus_melanocephalus_-California%252C_USA-8.jpg&width=800) Photo: Alan Vernon, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pheucticus_melanocephalus_-California%252C_USA-8.jpg) ## Appearance The Black-headed Grosbeak male has a striking black head, rusty-orange breast, and black wings with prominent white patches. Females are streaky brown with yellowish underparts and distinct facial markings, setting them apart from similar songbirds. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Cardinalidae - **Genus:** Pheucticus ## Interesting facts - Baby grosbeaks are born blind and featherless, relying entirely on their parents for food! - Males often sing while sitting on the nest, a rare behavior among most bird dads! - Their powerful beaks can even crack open hard snail shells, a unique bird superpower! - These birds enjoy eating sweet fruit and are sometimes seen in backyard orchards! ## Special abilities - **Mighty Mandibles:** Black-headed Grosbeak has a massive, conical bill that helps them crush even the toughest seeds with ease. - **Pest Patrol:** Black-headed Grosbeak can eat many types of garden insects, because they are opportunistic omnivores. - **Melody Master:** Black-headed Grosbeak has a rich, flowing, robin-like song that helps them defend territory. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 18-20 cm - **Wingspan:** 31-33 cm - **Weight:** 0.035-0.049 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-10 years - **Speed:** 40 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 2-5 - **Incubation:** 12-14 days - **Migration Distance:** 3500 km ## Diet & Feeding These birds are omnivores, enjoying a mix of insects, seeds, and sweet fruits like berries. - **Primary Foods:** beetles, caterpillars, berries, sunflower seeds, peas, snails - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Cooper's Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cooper-s-hawk) (*Accipiter cooperii*) — as a common bird of prey. - **Eats:** [Black Cherry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-cherry) (*Prunus serotina*) — consumes its abundant fruits. - **Eats:** [Red Raspberry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-raspberry) (*Rubus idaeus*) — forages on its sweet berries. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Enjoy watching birds from a distance and don't disturb their nests. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Black-headed Grosbeak? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Black-headed Grosbeak? 18-20 cm ### What is Black-headed Grosbeak's wingspan? 31-33 cm ### How much does Black-headed Grosbeak weigh? 0.035-0.049 kg ### How long does Black-headed Grosbeak live? 5-10 years ### How fast can Black-headed Grosbeak move? 40 km/h ### What does Black-headed Grosbeak eat? These birds are omnivores, enjoying a mix of insects, seeds, and sweet fruits like berries. ### Where is Black-headed Grosbeak usually found? Forests ## Where to spot - [Barrio De Analco Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/barrio-de-analco-historic-district) — New Mexico, US · Historic District - [Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cougar-mountain-regional-wildland-park) — Washington, US · Park - [Hakone Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/hakone-gardens) — California, US · Botanical Garden - [Lake Missoula](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lake-missoula) — Montana, US · Natural Landmark - [Lower Cushman Dam](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lower-cushman-dam) — Washington, US · Historic Site - [Mormon Row Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mormon-row-historic-district) — Wyoming, US · Historic District [View all places to see Black-headed Grosbeak](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/black-headed-grosbeak) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Black-headed Grosbeak: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-headed-grosbeak)