Great question, Jeremy.
Joe, thanks for sending pics. You have a female Black-headed Grosbeak in
breeding plumage. Sheri and I had a male there about a week ago, so there
have been sightings in the area and we do get them during migration along
with Rose-breasted. This is a Black-headed because of the strong bi-colored
bill (dark upper and pink lower mandible) and because there is very little
streaking on the sides. An adult Rose-breasted female should have an all
pink bill and lots of streaking on the sides. Have you been checking eBird?
If not, it will help you considerably with recent sightings in the area:
https://ebird.org/region/US-TX-303
If you go south to AZ and NM during the winter, it is warm enough for
really early first broods and immature birds during the winter and early
spring (and maybe even south TX, I'm not sure) but its not warm enough here
and we don't have enough insects during the winter for first broods to be
fledging already.
Hope this helps.
Jennifer
On Mon, May 16, 2022 at 8:37 PM Heppert, Joseph A. <jheppert@xxxxxx> wrote:
Anthony,
Thanks for your question. We only got partial photos. Got a much better
look at the facial markings, which were very distinct, using binoculars.
Beak and body contour definitely not sparrow-like.
Here are the best two photos we shot. We had never seen these markings
before, but realized the facial features and the blush on the breast, are
consistent with the immature rose-breasted. That’s the only bird reported
in that specific area we could square with the markings. If it’s too early
for an immature, this also has many similar characteristics to an adult
black-headed grosbeak, but we have not seen reports of those in this
vicinity.
Your thoughts? Appreciate the input.
Joe
[image: image0.jpeg][image: image1.jpeg]
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On May 15, 2022, at 10:49 PM, Jeremy Clark <jclark848r@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Do you mean first spring male bird. Juv. would imply breeding has already
occurred. Which would be awesome don't get me wrong.
On Sun, May 15, 2022, 1:23 PM Heppert, Joseph A. <jheppert@xxxxxx> wrote:
10:30-11 am
Juvenile rose-breasted gross beak above dam…in brush growing up the bank
midway up the south side of the lake
Female painted bunting across the bridge south-eastern most part of the
stream before the highway overpass
Joe and Kathy
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On May 15, 2022, at 9:15 AM, Heppert, Joseph A. <jheppert@xxxxxx>wrote:
near park mural
At least 6 cedar waxwings…trees west side of road…away from the stream
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