Female Black-headed Grosbeaks (Male vs Female Identification)

Black-headed Waxbill (Pheucticus melanocephalus) is a common migratory bird in the western United States. These thick-billed members of the Cardinalidae family return to nest in the United States and Canada each spring and summer.

Like their close relative, the rose-breasted waxbill, the males are striking and distinctive, while the females are more subdued in plumage. So what does a female black-headed wax-billed bird look like?

Female black-headed waxbills can be identified by their large beaks, tawny underparts, and prominent light-colored eyebrow stripes (eyebrows). Keep an eye out for these birds of the American West during the spring and summer months as they visit and breed in a variety of wooded habitats.

The female Black-headed Waxbill is most similar to the female Rose-breasted Waxbill. However, they can also be confused with some other American songbirds or even male juveniles of the same species.

In addition to the obvious visible differences, women exhibit many different behaviors than men.

Are you looking for more in-depth information on the female Black-headed Waxbill? Read this guide to learn more about their behavior and how to distinguish them from males and similar species.

Close-up of a female black-headed wax-billed bird at a feeder

How do you know if a black-headed wax-billed bird is male or female?

Male black-headed waxbills have cinnamon-colored underparts and collars. Their heads are indeed black, and their wings are also black with striking white stripes. Females are dull in comparison, despite their black heads, light eyebrow stripes, reddish-brown underparts with fine stripes, and white wing bars.

It’s relatively easy to tell males and females black-headed jays apart. These birds come from a family where sexual dimorphism is the norm. This means that adult males look completely different from females.

Male birds grow colorful plumage to attract females and compete with other males, but brightly colored plumage increases the risk of attracting predators.

Read on for a more detailed description of the female Black-headed Waxbill.

female black-headed wax-billed bird

male black-headed wax-billed bird

What does a female black-headed wax-billed bird look like?

The female black-headed waxbill is a medium-sized, stocky songbird with a warm brown underside and black above. They have an oversized conical beak on their large heads, which earned them their name. The “blackhead” part doesn’t quite apply to females, although they do have a dark (almost black) crest.

They have a light stripe above their eyes that runs from their beaks to the back of their heads. This marking, called an eyebrow, separates their dark crown from their brown cheeks. Just below the cheek is another area of ​​cream or white feathers.

Their neck, chest and nape are tawny to reddish brown with fine dark stripes on the sides. The upper sides of their wings and tail are similar in color to their heads, but include prominent white or cream paired wing bars.

Black-headed wax-billed bird (female)

similar species

The female black-headed wax-billed bird is a fairly unique bird, although it can be confused with some similar species. The female rose-breasted waxbill is very similar, but fortunately, the two species rarely overlap outside of the Great Plains, where they may have interbred.

Before confirming your identity, compare the female Black-headed Waxbill to the following species:

• Female and non-breeding male Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus)
• Female red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)
• Female Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus)

female and teenage male

Juvenile males may look very similar to adult females. However, these young males typically have more extensive white plumage on the wings and a darker cinnamon-colored underparts.

Immature male cockatoo – note the darker cinnamon color of the underparts, as opposed to the lighter color of the female

size difference

Female black-headed wax-billed birds are heavier than males, but have shorter wings, tails, and legs. These differences are statistically significant, although you won’t be able to notice them through binoculars.

Black-headed waxbill size (male and female)

• length: 7.1 – 8.1 inches (18 – 21 cm)
• span: 12.5 inches (32 cm)
• weight: 1.2 – 2 oz (35 – 55 g)

A pair of black-headed wax-billed birds – female on the left, male on the right

behavioral difference

It’s pretty simple to tell adult males and females apart by their appearance, but watching their behavior is a more interesting way to learn about these birds. Let’s take a look at some of their unique habits.

migrant

Female rose-breasted waxbills arrive in the United States and Canada about a week later than males, and this delay is remarkably consistent across their breeding range. By the time the females arrive, the males have already taken over their territory and can form pairs almost immediately.

You may notice a similar pattern in the fall, with the females leaving two or three weeks after the males.

Territorial

Both sexes are territorial, and females choose male mates based on territorial quality and courtship. Pairs may reunite for several years in a row, but usually this is not the case.

Female rose-breasted waxbills are highly aggressive towards other females who enter their nesting territory. They will fight hand-to-hand, and such a powerful bill could have deadly consequences.

Female black-headed wax-billed birds can be very aggressive, especially towards other females during the breeding season

sing and call

Waxbills are excellent singers, and their talents are not limited to the more colorful males. Read on to learn how the female black-headed waxbill vocalizes.

Female black-headed waxbills often sing after laying eggs. This behavior may strengthen their bond with their partner and young family. However, their songs are usually shorter and simpler than those of males.

Males most often sing after arriving at the breeding grounds to advertise their territory and attract females, although they will continue to sing during nesting. While nesting, these birds sing and call inside the nest, or outside to collect food for their chicks. This behavior continues until the young person becomes independent.

Females also make a variety of calls, including:

• contact number to keep in touch with their partners
• Calls to signal shifts when hatching and brooding
• Alerts when a human or predator gets too close to the nest

Black-headed wax-billed bird waiting her turn at a feeder

nesting and feeding

Female black-headed jays reach sexual maturity earlier than males and usually nest when they first return to their breeding grounds after hatching. Males will only breed when they return to the United States the following spring.

Both males and females play an active role in caring for their eggs and chicks. Read on to learn how their responsibilities differ.

nest

The female gathers all the material and builds the nest without the help of a mate. The nests are not very sturdy, although a sparse floor may help keep the eggs cool.

hatch brood

Both male and female black-headed waxbills incubate their eggs during the day, so the eggs are rarely uncovered. Women, however, take full responsibility after dark. After the chicks hatch, they follow the same pattern, with both parents incubating them for the first week or so.

feed

Both parents feed their chicks in the nest and continue after the chicks have left. Their chicks leave the nest a full two weeks before they are ready to fly, so they cannot survive without the constant care of their parents.

After the males travel south to their wintering grounds, the female black-headed waxbills continue to feed the young.

Close-up of a female black-headed wax-billed bird on a tree

common problem

Can a female black-headed waxbill raise offspring alone?

Female black-headed waxbills rely heavily on the help of their mates as they care for their eggs and feed their growing chicks. They will most likely not be able to raise offspring alone.

What color is the female black-headed wax-billed bird?

Female black-headed wax-billed birds are not richly colored, although their contrasting plumage makes for a rather striking bird. Their undersides are predominantly tawny, with brown uppers speckled with black and white detailing.

Their eyes are dark brown (look black), their legs are dark gray, and their beaks are brown above and cream below.

Can the female black-headed wax-billed bird sing?

Female black-headed waxbills call for a variety of reasons, including nest defense and communication with mates. Their typical call is a high-pitched “chip” note.

Can a female black-headed waxbill sing?

Female black-headed jays sing a similar but less refined version of the male’s song. Their singing may be primarily to maintain a bond between themselves, their mates and their children.