Yellow Grosbeak (Pheucticus chrysopeplus), Lower Miller Canyon, Cochise County

This Yellow Grosbeak was photographed by Christie Van Cleve on 16 June 2014

Yellow Grosbeak is a casual summer (May - mid August) visitor to SE Arizona with around 20 records, most of those in June. It is a frequent "one day wonder" and rarely remains in the same area for long. However this individual was present for three days (16-18 June). Interestingly males tend to occur more often than females.

This individual shows the characteristic large size, large head, massive gray bill, yellow underparts and white spotted wings. This appears to be a second-year male. Note the two generation of feathers in the wing (black is newer from the preformative molt) while the worn brown feathers are retained juvenile feathers. Likely male because of the bolder white tips, bold black on the back, and brighter yellow with little olive tones on the head.

16 June 2014, photo by Christie Van Cleve

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