English and Scientific names:	Black-headed Grosbeak Pheucticus melanocephalus
Number of individuals:	one individual, female
Locality: LOUISIANA:	Lafayette
Specific Locality:	200 Soulanges Road at backyard feeder
Date(s) when observed:	6 days between 24 January 2008 and 20 February 2008
Time(s) of day when observed:	7:30 to 10:00 and 16:00-17:00
Reporting observer and address:	Stacey Scarce Lafayette, LA  70508
Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s):
Other observers accompanying reporter who independently identified the bird(s):
Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light):	Direct sunlight on bird as well as shadows on sunny and cloudy days.  Color and markings easily seen in sunlight.
Optical equipment:
Distance to bird(s):	20 to 30 feet
Duration of observation:	variable, from 2 seconds to 5 minutes
Habitat:	Feeders hanging from black willow, with dead ragweed, water oaks, and hackberry along fence line.  Field and forest behind yard was leveled last summer for residential area.
Behavior of bird:	Bird was very skittish.  If I moved the blinds in my bathroom, it left, unlike the cardinals, finches and blackbirds that didn't mind the blind movement at all.  In 2005 and 2006, I observed male black-headed grosbeaks at this same feeding area and they too were as skittish as the present bird. Observed bird feeding at hanging feeder with cardinals and purple finches.  Observed bird feeding on ground under feeders with cardinals, purple finches and red-wing blackbirds.
Description:	I first noticed the body shape, eyebrow and burnt orange and yellow colors. Very close in size to cardinals and red-wing blackbird but larger than purple finch.  Body rather chunky with a stubby neck and large seed eating bill.  Eyebrow was bright yellow where it meets mandible and gradually turns to white where it meets nape. White wing bars.  Sides and breast were burnt orange with light streaking.  Belly was bright yellow with no streaking. Feet and legs were black.
Voice:	Did not hear.
Similar species:	Rose-breasted Grosbeak imm. male and female were eliminated by bright yellow belly.
Photographs or tape recordings obtained?	Photos are attached and were taken by me.
Previous experience with this species:	I have had only males at my feeders but have identified female and imm. males in AZ and CA
Identification aids:	at time of observation: Field Guide to the Birds of NA Sibley's Guide after observation: Field Guide to the Birds of NA Sibley's Guide Thayer's eField Guide Bill Fontenot Steve Cardiff
This description is written from:	Notes taken after observation and memory.
Are you positive of your identification? If not, explain:	No.  I relied on the expertise of Steve Cardiff because I could not positively ID the bird.
Reporter:	Stacey Scarce
Date and time:	05 March 2008, 11:22am