English and Scientific names:	Black-headed Grosbeak Pheucticus melanocephalus
Number of individuals:	one (1) adult male
Locality: LOUISIANA:	Beauregard Parish
Specific Locality:	Graybow Road at south end of airport on southwest side of DeRidder
Date(s) when observed:	14 August 2004
Time(s) of day when observed:	16:30 to 16:40
Reporting observer and address:	Gary J. Pontiff DeRidder. La. 70634
Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s):	None
Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light):	bird was in a shady area under some water oaks with a stippling of sunlight. Lighting was very bright and colors were readily discernible.
Optical equipment:	8X42 binoculars
Distance to bird(s):	fifty (50) feet
Duration of observation:	10 minutes total elapsed time, possibly six (6) minutes of observation
Habitat:	Scattered grass around feeders at edge of brush with mature trees overhead.
Behavior of bird:	Bird was feeding on the ground with cardinals when first seen. All day, I had heard and seen a male Eastern Towhee around the feeder and at first thought this is what I saw. When I noticed the white in the wings, my first thought was Spotted Towhee; then I noticed the burnt orange of the neck extending up past the shoulders. I then knew what I had. As I reached for my binoculars, he flew up to perch momentarily above the feeder and I could see the white wingbars, white in the primaries and burnt orange rump. The bird then flew away and returned to the feeder in just a couple of minutes, as I raised my arms to shoot a picture. He flew to a tallow tree at my neighbors. It was too far for a picture, but I was able to leisurely observe him about fifty meters away. He then flew to an elderberry bush and I tried to sneak closer to get a shot, but he was gone when I got in position and has not returned in the two hours since.
Description:	Bird was seen in company of Northern Cardinals and was the same apparent size. Obvious were the black head and wings, the burnt orange chest, neck and rump, white wing-bars and the large white flash on the primaries. The blue/grey bill was noticeable and the white in the wings very apparent in flight. I did not observe the feet.
Voice:	Not observed
Similar species:	I have already told of the Eastern Towhee and no other bird is similar to the male Black-headed Grosbeak
Photographs or tape recordings obtained?	none yet
Previous experience with this species:	I have observed hundreds in Arizona, Utah and Colorado. I have banded several.
Identification aids:	None were needed, but I consulted Lowery for dates and Sibley for range after observations.
This description is written from:	immediately after observation from memory. I haven't made notes yet
Are you positive of your identification? If not, explain:	Yes
Reporter:	Gary J. Pontiff
Date and time:	14 August 2004 19:00