This beautiful immature male Black-headed Grosbeak showed up at the feeder of Shirley and David Remaley around February 8, 2003, just in time for the Great Backyard Bird Count. The Project FeederWatch web form wouldn't let Shirly enter Black-headed Grosbeak, since they're not expected in N.C., so she contacted others to confirm the identification.

This is the first confirmed Black-headed Grosbeak in N.C. for many years.

The grosbeak was still present as of 3/22/2003 feeding regularly throughout the day, but most often between 7 and 8 am. Dave Remaley noted that the bird was last seen 4/22/03 and "had full adult colors at that time."