We had a female Blackheaded Grosbeak at our sunflower feeder yesterday. I
think I have seen this bird before but never really got a good look. This
time it stayed put for quite a while and I was able to get my binoculars on
it. I am pretty sure that is what it was. It fits the description given in
Sibley's for adult nonbreeding female (aug-mar) except the supercillium was
more white than buffy. It also had a streak of brown on the center of the
head, a continuation of the color from the back and nape, with black on
either side.

How can one be really sure this bird was not a Rose Breasted first winter
male? Highly unlikely, I am sure, but the descriptions are seemingly
identical.

Has the Rose Breasted Grosbeak ever been seen in Western Washington?

For that matter, how common is the Black Headed variety?

Ed Lamb, Bellevue, Wa.