A couple of summers ago, we had Grosbeaks visiting our feeders. I was told then that they looked like female rose-breasted, but now I'm back to questions. My guest this year looks a LOT like a female black-headed, except she has a noticeably bright yellow eyebrow and chin stripe, which Cornell says it should be white. Beautiful, sweet looking bird. Please help me get clear on my facts, before I start bragging about my way cool birds.
I believe the yellow eye-stripe is just a variation. In the Montana Govt. Official Field Guide they mention the occasional Lemon Yellow eye-stripe under "General Description".
http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=ABPBX61040
Hope that helps. Btw...Most birds are "way cool" so start bragging away. :o)
Yep, Black-headed. Note the two-tones-of-grey bill; Rose-breasted has a pink-toned bill.
Resin
