Black-headed grosbeaks (pheucticus melanocephalus) migrate to our area and stay here spring through fall every year. The first time we saw them, we only saw an occasional bird; now there are several pairs who are regular visitors to our feeders. I've never seen them eat anything but oil sunflower seeds, but perhaps we're spoiling them.
One thing that strikes me as odd about these birds is that they are quite timid, even though they're quite large (jay-sized) and have very sturdy-looking beaks (I'll bet they could do some damage to my ears with those!). And yet they are amongst the first birds to fly as we approach the feeders, or even our windows. About the only bird species we have that's more timid is the hooded oriole...
The center picture is a non-breeding (juvenile?) female; the others are breeding males.
As usual, click on a picture for a larger view.
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