WhenToBird

2 grosbeak species in California

When Do Grosbeaks Arrive in California?

Adult Black-headed Grosbeak
Photo: Dan Vickers, CC BY 4.0 via iNaturalist

Black-headed Grosbeaks reach California in late March, are common by the second week of April, peak in the second week of May (23% of checklists), and most are gone by mid August. They are by far the most reported grosbeaks in California.

When to look

First arrivalsMar 22-31late March
Common byApr 8-14the second week of April
PeakMay 8-14the second week of May
Most gone byAug 15-21mid August

Best: the second week of May. First arrivals late March; most are gone by mid August. Peak: on about 23% of California checklists.

  1. Jannot usually seen
  2. Febnot usually seen
  3. Marrare
  4. Aprpeak season
  5. Maypeak season
  6. Junpeak season
  7. Julcommon
  8. Auguncommon
  9. Sepuncommon
  10. Octrare
  11. Novnot usually seen
  12. Decnot usually seen

Darker months: more checklists report it. Outlined: peak month.

Grosbeaks in California, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Black-headed GrosbeakMar 22-31Apr 8-14May 8-14Aug 15-2123%
Blue GrosbeakApr 15-21Apr 15-21May 8-14Aug 8-142.3%
0%10%20%30%Black-headed GrosbeakBlue GrosbeakJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
  • Black-headed Grosbeak
  • Blue Grosbeak
Share of complete checklists reporting each species, by week (4 per month). Gaps: fewer than 10 checklists that week.

Frequency is the share of complete checklists in California that listed the bird, 2016–2025. It is not a head count, and it follows where and when people go birding. How to read it.

Where in California

Best counties for Black-headed Grosbeak

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Tuolumne CountyBest the second week of May · 492 checklists that week, 21,159 in all51%
  2. Trinity CountyBest mid May · 175 checklists that week, 9,037 in all50%
  3. Mariposa CountyBest the second week of May · 611 checklists that week, 17,385 in all50%
  4. Calaveras CountyBest the second week of May · 162 checklists that week, 6,843 in all49%
  5. Nevada CountyBest the second week of May · 693 checklists that week, 25,896 in all48%
  6. Amador CountyBest the second week of May · 134 checklists that week, 4,733 in all47%

Common questions

When do grosbeaks arrive in California?
Black-headed Grosbeaks reach California in late March, are common by the second week of April, peak in the second week of May (23% of checklists), and most are gone by mid August. They are by far the most reported grosbeaks in California.
When do grosbeaks leave California?
Most Black-headed Grosbeaks have left California by mid August, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until late September.
When is the best time to see grosbeaks in California?
The Black-headed Grosbeak is reported most often in the second week of May, on about 23% of California checklists.
Which grosbeaks are in California?
Black-headed Grosbeak and Blue Grosbeak are reported regularly; the Black-headed Grosbeak is the most common.