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Black-headed Groesbeak

(Pheucticus melamocephalus)

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Size             : 7 1/2 inches long(19cm)

Description      : Male   - Black head and black markings on wings and tail;
                            rusty-tawny back and breast, yellowish belly;
                            prominent white patches on wings
                   Female - White eyebrows with pale buff underparts;
                            finely streaked breast 

Preferred Habitat: Open deciduous woodland near water, lakeshores, orchards, parks, and
                   swampy places with a mixture of trees and bushes

Preferred food   : Insects, fruit; will try bread and sunflower/safflower seeds at the feeder

Breeding Range   : Western North America, breeding from southwestern Canada, east to 
                   western North Dakota and northeastern Kansas, south to Mexico

Winter Range     : Mexico

Interesting Facts: - The male arrives in the breeding territory before the female and sings to 
                     stake out his claim on a nesting area
                   - Preferred nesting site is in a tree or large bush
                   - The nest is bulky, made of interwoven twigs and other plant material 
                   - The female lays 3 - 4 greenish, brown-spotted eggs 
                   - Both parents incubate eggs, which hatch in about 12 days  
                   - They raise one brood per season
                   - Most of the male's bright plumage is on the breast and belly, so assisting with
                     incubation is not a problem, as these parts are concealed while sitting in nest
                   - Valuable bird to farms, although sometimes a problem in orchards, it consumes
                     large amounts of potato beetles
                   - Song is similar to that of a robin, but sweeter, softer, and faster
                   - Call is a sharp 'tick'