Arriving in May, adult Black-headed Grosbeaks settle in quickly. By mid-summer, their broods have fledged and young birds have begun to follow their parents foraging in the canopy. Having left the nest they range from late fledglings to young juveniles with some continuing to rely on their parents to feed them. Young Black-headed Grosbeak’s highly variable plumage makes identification problematic until after their first year. The following gallery uses a bird's gape (the color and softness at the corners of their beak) to show their progression as they age.
