Crested Caracara (Caracara plancus)

OTHER NAMES: Mexican Eagle
Latin Etymology: Caracara (from old Tupi name for species) plancus ("flat")

Juvenile Crested Caracara (Caracara plancus) at Tarcoles, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Caracara plancus cheriway
Weight: 0.9-1.6kg  /  Length: 50-65cm  /  Wingspan: 120-132cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A very widely ranging species found from the Southern USA to Patagonia, they are primarily carrion feeders but are broadly opportunistic and will also hunt or pirate food from other species. They are also adaptable and tactical and will follow things disturbing a habitat such as farming or wildfire as an opportunity to snatch fleeing prey.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Falconiformes
Family: Falconidae
Genus: Caracara
SUBSPECIES: C. p. cheriway, C. p. plancus
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish - Carancho
A widespread resident
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at San Jose and Tarcoles

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Grey-cowled Wood Rail (Aramides cajaneus)

OTHER NAMES: Grey-necked Wood Rail
Latin Etymology: Aramides ("resembling limpkin") cajaneus ("of Cayenne, French Guiana")

 

Grey-cowled Wood Rail (Aramides cajaneus) at Location, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Aramides cajaneus cajaneus
Weight: 320-465g  /  Length: 33-40cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A large distinctive rail of the neotropics, they are an adaptable species that can be found in both mature rainforests to, as this one, small urban rivers in fragmented habitat. Typically nocturnal, where they feed on invertibrates, with mangrove populations being particularly specialised in crabs but are more broadly omnivours, supplementing their diet with fruits, seeds and grain as needed.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Gruiformes
Family: Rallidae
Genus: Aramides
SUBSPECIES: A. c. latens, A. c. morrisoni, A. c. cajaneus
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish - Cotara Chiricote
A widespread resident
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at San Jose 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Crimson-fronted Parakeet (Psittacara finschi)

OTHER NAMES: Finsch's Parakeet, Finsch's Conure
Latin Etymology: Psittacara ("parrot head") finschi (for explorer Friedrich Finsch)

 

Crimson-fronted Parakeet (Psittacara finschi) at Location, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 135-175g  /  Length: 28cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A parrot species with a limited range from Nicaragua to Panama, that favours less dense forests and semi open landscapes, though has also adapted to urban life in cities such as San Jose. They are a social bird which may gather in flocks of up to 30 to feed. Their primary food sources include fruits, flowers and grains.

Related Species: 

Order: Psittaciformes
Family: Psittacidae
Genus: Psittacara
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic  

- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish - Perico Frentirrojo ("Red-fronted Parakeet")

A widespread resdent of lowlands.
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at San Jose

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Southern Lapwing (Vanellus chilensis)

OTHER NAMES: Quero-quero
Latin Etymology: Vanellus ("lapwing") chilensis ("of Chile")

 

Southern Lapwing (Vanellus chilensis) at San Jose, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Vanellus chilensis cayennensis
Weight: 250-425g  /  Length: 32-38cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

An extremely widespread wader of the Neotropics, found from Nicaragua to Patagonia and largely only missing from the interior of the Amazon, deserts and the Andes. Like some other members of the lapwing family, it possesses bony spurs on its forewings to intimidate potential predators. The taxon found in Costa Rica is considered a potential future split.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Charadriidae
Genus: Vanellus
SUBSPECIES: V. c. fretensis, V. c. chilensis, V. c. cayennensis, V. c. lampronotus 
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish - Tero
A widespread resident
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Tarcoles and San Jose

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Tennessee Warbler (Leiothlypis peregrina)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Leiothlypis ("plain unknown warbler") peregrina ("wanderer")

Tennessee Warbler (Leiothlypis peregrina) at Tarcoles, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 10g  /  Length: 11cm  /  Wingspan: 19cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Despite the name, the Tennessee Warbler does not actually breed anywhere near Tennessee, but rather has a range that makes it a near endemic breeder in Canada, only barely tipping over the US border at a few points. It is named as such as this is where a specimen on migration was collected. However, it is a long distance migrant to the Caribbean, Central America and the Northernmost countries of South America, where, while it's there, is a very common and adaptable species found in a wide range of habitats and altitudes. 
 
Related Species: 
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Parulidae
Genus: Leiothlypis
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 
 
- Sighting Locations - 

COSTA RICA - Spanish (Costa Rica) - Reinita Verdilla

A common and widespread Winter migrant
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Tarcoles, San Jose and San Gerardo de Dota. 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Rufous-tailed Hummingbird (Amazilia tzacatl)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Amazilia (for a character in a novel) tzacatl (figure from Aztec myth)

Juvenile Rufous-tailed Hummingbird (Amazilia tzacatl) at San Jose, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Amazilia tzacatl tzacatl
Weight: 5g  /  Length: 9-11cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

One of the most common and adaptable of Costa Rican hummingbirds, even found in urban streets of the capital where suitable foodsources are available. The female bird is solely responsible for nesting and not only builds the nest but incubates and caring for the chicks on her own. They are believed to actually benefit to some degree from human caused habitat change as they prefer more open spaces. 
 
Related Species: 
Order: Apodiformes
Family: Trochilidae
Genus: Amazilia
SUBSPECIES: A. t. tzacatl, A. t. handleyi, A. t. fuscicaudata, A. t. brehmi, A. t. jucunda

 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish (Costa Rica) - Amazilia Rabirrufa

A common species in lowlands
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Alajuela and San Jose 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Great Kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Pitangus (name for a species in Tupi language) sulphuratus ("sulphur coloured")

 

Great Kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus) at Tarcoles, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Pitangus sulphuratus guatimalensis
Weight: 53-71g  /  Length: 25-28cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A widespread species found from Southern Texas to Patagonia in every mainland country except Chile. On my visit to Costa Rica I personally found them to perhaps the most archetypal species of my birding there where their call for part of which they are named for ("kisssk-A-deeeee") being a common background sound to my time there. They often perch on exposed posts and branches to hunt from.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Tyrannidae
Genus: Pitangus
SUBSPECIES: P. s. texanus, P. s. derbianus, P. s. guatimalensis, P. s. rufipennis, P. s. caucensis, P. s. trinitatis, P. s. sulphuratus, P. s. maximiliani, P. s. bolivianus, P. s. argentinus 

 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish - Benteveo

Widespread and Common Resident
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Tarcoles, Alajuela and San Jose. 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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White-fronted Amazon (Amazona albifrons)

OTHER NAMES: White-fronted Parrot, Spectacled Amazon Parrot
Latin Etymology: Amazona ("Amazon") albifrons ("white-forehead")

 

Two White-fronted Amazon (Amazona albifrons) at San Jose, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Amazona albifrons nana
Weight: 190-250g/kg  /  Length: 25cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The smallest species of amazon parrot, it is also the only amazon species to be strongly sexually dimorphic enough for easy differentiation in the field with the males having red shoulders that the females lack. As with many parrot species they are long lived and have been recorded living 40 years in the wild and over 50 in captivity. Native to Central America, there are some feral populations in places like Puerto Rico and Texas.

Related Species: 
Order: Psittaciformes
Family: Psittacidae
Genus: Amazona
SUBSPECIES: A. a. albifrons, A. a. nana, A. a . saltuensis

 
- Sighting Locations - 

COSTA RICA - Spanish - Loro frente Blanca ("white fronted parrot")
Found in the North West of the Country
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Tarcoles and San Jose  

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Northern Jacana (Jacana spinosa)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Jacana (from Tupi name for bird) spinosa ("thorny")

 

Northern Jacana (Jacana spinosa) at San Jose, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 91-161g  /  Length: 21-24cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A common resident of Caribbean and Central American Wetlands, the Northern Jacana is an unusual bird in several respects - while most initially the most obvious feature may be its huge splayed feet which allow it to spread its weight to walk on floating water plants easily. However, it also has spurs on its wings which can be used for defense. There is also the unusualy behaviour where an adult jacana can carry its clutch of chicks under its wings to escape safety, however the plethora of dangling ffet from a single bird does lend to an element of eldritch horror.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Jacanidae
Genus: Jacana
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 
 
- Sighting Locations - 

COSTA RICA - Spanish - Jacana Centroamericana

Widespread and common in wetlands
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Tarcoles and San Jose

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus)

OTHER NAMES: Mexican Grackle
Latin Etymology:  Quiscalus (unclear origin) mexicanus ("of Mexico")

Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus) at Hotel Robledal, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Quiscalus mexicanus peruvianus
Weight: 115-265g  /  Length: 38-46cm  /  Wingspan: 58-54cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A bold, rowdy species of bird that has adapted well to human habitation, often being one of the most conspicuous birds in more urban parts of Costa Rica. They are highly social and are often found in flocks near water. Though not corvids, they somewhat fulfil a similar niche as crows do in Europe being highly intelligent omnivores that are adaptable to food sources including hunting, scavenging and eating fruit or grain.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Icteridae
Genus: Quiscalus
SUBSPECIES: Q. m. nelsoni, Q. m. graysoni, Q. m. obscurus, Q. m. prosopidicola  Q. m. mexicanus, Q. m. loweryi, Q. m. peruvianus
 
- Sighting Locations - 

COSTA RICA - Spanish - Zanate Mexicano

Widespread and Common
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Tarcoles, San Jose and Alajuela

 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Red-billed Pigeon (Patagioenas flavirostris)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Patagioenas (clatter pigeon) flavirostris ("yellow billed")  

Red-billed Pigeon (Patagioenas flavirostris) at San Jose, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Patagioenas flavirostris minima
Weight: 230-425g  /  Length: 30-37cm  /  Wingspan: 45-56cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A large pigeon with rust and slate colours that is one of the more common pigeon species in urban Costa Rica. They range just up to the very Southern border of Texas and Costa Rica represents the Southernmost point of their range. They are primarily frugivores who spend their time in trees and bushes eating berries. Despite the name, only the base of their bill is notably red.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Columbiformes
Family: Columbidae
Genus: Patagioenas
SUBSPECIES: P. f. restricta, P. f. madrensis, P. f. flavirostris, P. f. minima
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish - Paloma morada ("Purple Dove")

A widespread species found throughout all but the Southern border of Costa Rica
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Alajuela and San Jose

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Yellow-headed Caracara (Daptrius chimachima)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Daptrius ("bloodsucker") chimachima (Argentinian onoematopoeiac name)

Yellow-headed Caracara (Daptrius chimachima) at Tarcoles, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Daptrius chimachima cordatus
Weight: 277-364g  /  Length: 40-45cm  /  Wingspan: 74-95cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A widespread species found from Central America to Argentina, they prefer open and semi-open habitats as they are opportunistic omnivores whose diet contains not only carrion and live prey, but has also been recorded eating fruits and seeds, as well as sometimes riding upon animals such as capybara to feed on their parasites, or, in some instances, even their open wounds.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Falconiformes
Family: Falconidae
Genus: Daptrius
SUBSPECIES: D. c. cordatus, D. c. chimachima
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish - Chimachimá

A common resident along the West Coast
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Tarcoles and in San Jose

 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Piranga (from Tupi name for an unknown bird) rubra ("red")

 

 Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra) at San Gerardo de Dota, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Piranga rubra rubra
Weight: 30g  /  Length: 17cm  /  Wingspan: 28-30cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Despite the name, the Summer Tanager has a recently been reevaltuated as a member of the cardinal family, which makes sense with it's bright red plumage. In so far as the Summer part of it's name goes, it primarily breeds in the US South and Northern Mexico, and here where I saw it in Costa Rica, was in it's Wintering range
 
Related Species: 
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Cardinalidae
Genus: Piranga
SUBSPECIES: P. r. cooperi, P. r. rubra
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish - Tángara Roja Migratoria ("Migratory Red Tanager")

A widespread Winter visitor
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Tarcoles, San Jose, San Gerardo de Dota and Hotel Robledal

 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Clay-coloured Thrush (Turdus grayi)

OTHER NAMES: Clay-colored Robin
Latin Etymology: Turdus ("thrush") grayi (named for a naturalist)

Clay-coloured Thrush (Turdus grayi) at Hotel Robledal, Costa Rica- November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Turdus grayi casius

Weight: 75g  /  Length: 23-27cm  /  Wingspan: 34-38cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A widespread and common bird of Central America and the National Bird of Costa Rica where it is known as yigüirro - a role it was chosen for in 1977 due to it's ubiquity and familiar and memorable song. Like many thrushes, they have a varied diet including fruit and invertibrates, and from my sightings of them at least, seemed to particularly favour hanging around wet muddy areas.

 
Related Species: 
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Turdidae
Genus: Turdus
SUBSPECIES: T. g. tamaulipensis, T. g. microrhynchus, T. g. lanyoni, T. g. yucatanensis, T. g. linnaei, T. g. grayi, T. g. megas, T. g. casius, T. g. incomptus, T. g. suarezi
 
- Sighting Locations -

 COSTA RICA - Costa Rican Spanish - yigüirro
A widespread and common species
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at all locations
 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Hoffmann's Woodpecker (Melanerpes hoffmannii)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Melanerpes ("black creeper") hoffmannii (for naturalist Karl Hoffman)

Hoffmann's Woodpecker (Melanerpes hoffmannii) at Hotel Robledal, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 62-84g  /  Length: 18-21cm  /  Wingspan: 40-43cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A fairly range restricted species found in a narrow band of North West Costa Rica, West Nicaragua and Southern Honduras where it prefers more open forests and even more disturbed areas like parks and gardens. They are a close relative of the Red-crowned woodepecker and a hybrid zone between the two exists in Costa Rica where the species overlap.
 

Related Species: 
Order: Piciformes
Family: Picidae
Genus: Melanerpes
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish - Carpintero de Hoffman ("Hoffman's Carpenter")

A locally common species in North West Costa Rica
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at San Jose, Hotel Robledal and Tarcoles

 Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Tropical Mockingbird (Mimus gilvus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology:  Mimus ("mimic") gilvus ("pale yellow")

Tropical Mockingbird (Mimus gilvus) at San Jose, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Mimus gilvus tolimensis
Weight: 88g  /  Length: 22-25cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Despite being a close relative of the famous Nothern Mockingbird, unlike that species it rarely mimics other species but rather produces it's own elaborate and varied call. In parts of their range they have benefited from human changes to land usage, as they prefer semi open habitat rather than forest, deforestation has actually allowed them to expand into formerly densely forested areas.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Mimidae
Genus: Mimus
SUBSPECIES: M. g. gracilis, M. g. leucophaeus, M. g. antillarum, M. g. tobagensis, M. g. rostratus, M. g. melanopterus, M. g. gilvus, M. g. tolimensis, M. g. antelius, M. g. magnirostris

 - Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA 

Widespread lowland species
 - COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Two seen in San Jose.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Least Grebe (Tachybaptus dominicus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Tachybaptus ("quick to sink under") dominicus ("of Hispaniola")

Breeding plumage Least Grebe (Tachybaptus dominicus)  at San Jose, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Tachybaptus dominicus brachypterus
Weight: 112-118g  /  Length: 21-27cm  /  Wingspan: 48-53cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

As the name suggests, the smallest of all grebes with a range spanning from the Southern Border of the USA down to Uruguay where it prefers bodies of water with extensive vegetation for breeding such as ponds, lakes marshes and even ditches, even sometimes breeding in temporary bodies of water. They are able to breed throughout the year, using a floating nest of vegetation.

Related Species:
Order: Podicipidiformes
Family: Podicipedidae
Genus: Tachybaptus
SUBSPECIES: T. d. brachypterus, T. d. bangsi, T. d. dominicus, T. d. eisenmanni, T. d. brachyrhynchus

 - Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish - zampullín macacito

A locally common species on suitable bodies of water.
 - COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen in San Jose

 Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)

OTHER NAMES: Mockingbird
Latin Etymology: Mimus ("mimic") polyglottos ("many tongued")

 

Adult Northern Mockingbird (subspecies M. p. leucopterus) at San Jose, California - September 2022

Featured Subspecies: Mimus polyglottos leucopterus
Weight: 40-58g  /  Length: 20-28cm  /  Wingspan: 31-38cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Named and famous for it's ability as a vocal mimic, the Northern Mockingbird is capable of learning a huge repertoire of songs learned not only from other birds, but also from other species and even artificial human sounds. They have beeb recorded  as having up to 200 songs memorised per individual.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Mimidae
Genus: Mimus
SUBSPECIES: M. p. polyglottos, M. p. leucopterus, M. p. orpheus

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES 

Found across the Southern and North-Western States
 - CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Seen at San Jose

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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California Scrub Jay (Aphelocoma californica)

OTHER NAMES: Western Scrub Jay, Scrub Jay
Latin Etymology: Aphelocoma ("simple hair") californica ("of California")

Adult California Scrub Jay (subspecies A. c. oocleptica) at Berkeley, California - August 2022

Featured Subspecies: Aphelocoma californica oocleptica
Weight: 70-100g  /  Length: 27-31cm  /  Wingspan: 38-40cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A dash of bright blue from the trees was usually what I saw of this species - noisy and ubiquitous, it is nonetheless generally a fairly shy species by the standards of corvids, rarely giving me a good look at the brilliant plumage. They are known to cache food for winter, and can remember the location of over 200 such locations.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Corvidae
Genus: Aphelocoma
SUBSPECIES: A. c. immanis, A. c. caurina, A. c. oocleptica, A. c. californica, A. c. obscura, A. c. cana, A. c. cactophila, A. c. hypoleuca

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES 

Washington, Oregon and Colorado
 - CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Seen at Roy's Redwoods, San Jose, San Francisco and Berkeley

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Black-headed Grosbeak (Pheucticus melanocephalus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Pheucticus ("shy") melanocephalus ("black headed")

Juvenile Black-headed Grosbeak (Pheucticus melanocephalus) at San Jose, California - August 2022 - Handled by Licenced Ringers

Featured Subspecies: unclear
Weight: 34-38g  /  Length: 18-19cm  /  Wingspan: 32cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A robust finch species and relative of the cardinal, the Black-headed Grosbeak is one of the few species that is able to eat monarch butterflies, which are usually toxic due to the milkweed they feed on. Interestingly, the same genetic solution to being protected from the milkweed toxins that the monarch has developed evolved in parralel in the grosbeak!

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Cardinalidae
Genus: Pheucticus
SUBSPECIES: P. m. maculatus, P. m. melanocephalus

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES 
Found in the Western half of the Lower 48
 - CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Seen at San Jose,

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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