Yellow-billed Grosbeak

The Yellow-billed Grosbeak is a robust, thickset finch best known for its massive, deep yellow bill with a black tip, powerful enough to crack hard seeds and fruit pits. Males have a glossy black head that contrasts with a grey nape and grey-brown body, while females and immatures show a much duller grey-brown head without the strong black coloring.

Usually encountered in pairs or small flocks, it moves through woodland canopy and edge habitat with a heavy, deliberate manner befitting its bulky build, and its loud calls often draw attention before the bird itself is spotted.

Key field marks

• Very large, thick yellow bill with a black tip
• Male: glossy black head contrasting with grey nape and body
• Female: duller grey-brown head, lacking strong black coloring
• Grey-brown body with darker wings showing a pale panel

Similar species

• Japanese Grosbeak (Masked Grosbeak/Chinese Grosbeak) is closely related and similar but ranges and subtle head pattern differ; the massive yellow bill is shared among grosbeaks in this genus.
• Other finches lack the combination of an oversized yellow-and-black bill with a black head.

Habitat

Inhabits deciduous and mixed woodlands, forest edges, orchards, and wooded parks.

Range

Breeds across northeastern China, the Korean Peninsula, and parts of the Russian Far East; winters further south in central and southern China.

Migration

A short- to medium-distance migrant, moving south for winter out of its more northerly breeding range.

Behavior

Usually forages in pairs or small flocks in tree canopy, moving deliberately and using its powerful bill to crack open seeds and fruit stones.

Voice

A loud, sharp "tick" or "chink" call, along with a simple, whistled song.

Feeding

Eats seeds, buds, and fruit stones cracked open with its heavy bill, along with insects, especially when feeding young.

Nesting

Builds a cup nest of twigs and roots in a tree; lays 3-5 pale blue-green eggs with dark markings.