Crimson-collared Grosbeak

Crimson-collared Grosbeak Picture

The Crimson-collared Grosbeak

A Crimson-collared Grosbeak is a fun bird to see while bird watching. Below are some tips to help you identify Crimson-collared Grosbeaks. We have also put together a list of fun Crimson-collared Grosbeak t-shirts, Crimson-collared Grosbeak bird patches, birdhouses, bird feeders, binoculars, stickers, and other fun bird watching items.

About Crimson-collared Grosbeaks

The Crimson-collared Grosbeak is a seed and leaf-eating bird native to North America commonly found in northeastern Mexico. They are migratory birds and may stray into Texas or the Rio Grande Valley over in winter. The Crimson-collared Grosbeak belongs to the family Cardinalidae which is the Northern Cardinal. Their conservation status is of Least Concern as the numbers are stable in their limited habitat.

Description and Identification

These gorgeously colored birds are 8-9.25 inches long and weigh about 2.1 oz. Adult male
Crimson-collared Grosbeaks have predominantly black plumage with a very distinctive dull red
collar that covers their shoulders, belly, and nape. This collar is similar to the bright collar of the
crimson-collared tanager. The crimson bellies of Crimson-collared Grosbeaks are mottled with
black spots. Female Crimson-collared Grosbeaks completely resemble the males in appearance
except that they lack the dark crimson coloration present in the males. Instead, Females have
olive-colored upperparts, olive-yellow underparts, and their wings and tails are olive-green. Male
younglings of crimson-collared Grosbeaks have dull olive-yellow coloration replacing the dull red
coloration of the adult males. Immature females are more darkly colored. Both sexes of
Crimson- collared grosbeaks have thick bills and long tails. Crimson-collared Grosbeaks sing a rich
song that is similar to the song of rose-breasted grosbeaks, but it has fewer warbled notes. These
birds have multiple calls with high, clear, and slurred notes such as “sseuuu” and “sseeeur”.

Crimson-collared Grosbeak Color Pattern

The males differ from the females in color. The male has a black plumage covered by a reddish or crimson collar on the shoulder, nape, and belly hence the name Crimson-collared Grosbeak. Their bellies are mottled with black spots. The female Crimson-collared Grosbeak, on the other hand, has a greenish upper part and a light-yellow underpart. Their heads are black as well as their breast. Young birds look like the female but have less black on their breast and head.

Crimson-collared Grosbeak Size

They have a body length between 20-23cm and a wingspan averaging about 31cm. They weigh 60 grams although the figure is an estimate.

Crimson-collared Grosbeak Behavior

They call one another by a penetrating whistle that begins with an s-sound that is slurred downwards then upwards and then downwards. Their vocalization is similar to the Northern Cardinal. They make their nests in tangled vines, bushes, and sometimes in low trees.

Crimson-collared Grosbeak Food

The diet of Crimson-collared Grosbeaks generally comprises leaves and certain insects. Leaves
of potato plants and nightshade are eaten by these birds. As there is very limited information about
these birds, it can only be assumed that they are opportunistic feeders as vagrant populations of
these birds have been noticed eating a variety of fruits. Loquats, chinaberries, mangoes, apples,
and citrus fruits are the few fruits that these birds have been observed eating. Crimson-collared
grosbeaks can be found foraging as individuals, pairs, or flocks. These birds can forage from all
elevations of the forest, sometimes also coming down to the ground.

They eat seeds, fruits, and berries as well as insects. Sometimes they may also feed on plant leaves. They often forage in high to low-second growth forests as well as brush woodlands. Insects vary from caterpillars, beetles, and bees.

Crimson-collared Grosbeak Habitat

Crimson-collared Grosbeaks usually inhabit semi-arid and humid woodlands and forest edges.
These birds can also be spotted at citrus groves and sweet gums. They have been observed
residing at elevations up to 4,000 feet.

They like deciduous mixed woodlands that have open grounds with shrubs and bushes. They also like humid and semi-arid forests with second growth.

Range and Migration

Crimson-collared Grosbeaks are medium-sized birds that are endemic to North-eastern Mexico.
The range of these birds extends from Nuevo León towards northern Veracruz. Crimson-collared
grosbeaks are permanent residents throughout their range. In winters, vagrant crimson-collared
grosbeaks can be found in the Rio Grande Valley of Southern Texas.

Crimson-collared Grosbeak Life Cycle

The female can clutch between 2-3 eggs and keeps them incubated for 11-13 days enabling them to hatch. Their lifespan and nesting period for the young may not be clear.

Crimson-collared Grosbeak Nesting

Very limited information is available on the nesting of these birds. Only the structure of one of their
nests has been documented. This nest was a cup of twigs that were thinly lined and located 6.5 feet
above the ground in the middle of shrubbery and vines. Female Crimson-collared Grosbeaks lay
up to 2-3 eggs which are pale-bluish gray in color. Females seem to be the sole caretakers of the
younglings.

Ornithology

Bird Watching Academy & Camp Subscription Boxes

At Bird Watching Academy & Camp we help kids, youth, and adults get excited and involved in bird watching. We have several monthly subscription boxes that you can subscribe to. Our monthly subscription boxes help kids, youth, and adults learn about birds, bird watching, and bird conservation.

  • Kids Bird Watching Monthly Subscription
    Kids Bird Watching Monthly Subscription
    $10.00 / month
  • Kid & Adult Bird Watching Starter Pack Subscription
    Kid & Adult Bird Watching Starter Pack Subscription
    $10.00 / month and a $72.00 sign-up fee
  • Kids Bird Watching Starter Pack Subscription
    Kids Bird Watching Starter Pack Subscription
    $10.00 / month and a $19.00 sign-up fee

Bird Watching Binoculars for Identifying Crimson-collared Grosbeaks

The most common types of bird-watching binoculars for viewing Crimson-collared Grosbeaks are 8×21 binoculars and 10×42 binoculars. Bird Watching Academy & Camp sells really nice 8×21 binoculars and 10×42 binoculars. You can view and purchase them here.

  • Birding Binoculars
    Birding Binoculars
    $49.99
  • Kids Binocular 8x21
    Kids Binoculars
    $13.99

Crimson-collared Grosbeak T-shirts

If you love the Crimson-collared Grosbeak you should purchase a Bird Watching Academy & Camp T-shirt. To help support bird conservation we donate 10 percent to bird conservation activities.

Crimson-collared Grosbeak Iron On Patches

Kids, Youth, and Adults love to collect our Bird Watching Academy & Camp iron-on patches. Our bird-watching patches help you keep track of the birds you have seen and identified. You can also display the patches on our Bird Watching Academy & Camp banners.

The Crimson-collared Grosbeak is a great iron-on patch to start your collection with. The patches are durable and can be sewn on or ironed on to just about anything.

Crimson-collared Grosbeak Stickers

Stickers are a great way for you to display your love for bird watching and the Crimson-collared Grosbeak. We sell a monthly subscription sticker pack. The sticker packs have 12 bird stickers. These sticker packs will help your kids learn new birds every month.

Bird Feeders for Crimson-collared Grosbeaks

There are many types of bird feeders. Here are our favorite bird feeders for your backyard. We use all of these bird feeders currently. Kids will have a great time watching birds eat at these bird feeders. Using this collection of bird feeders will provide a wide variety and many types of birds.

Best Bird Houses for Crimson-collared Grosbeaks

There are many types of birdhouses. Building a birdhouse is always fun but can be frustrating. These 4 birdhouses have become our favorites. Getting a birdhouse for kids to watch birds grow is always fun. We spent a little extra money on these birdhouses but they have been worth the higher price and look great.

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