Chinese Grosbeak

The Chinese grosbeak, also known as the yellow-billed grosbeak or black-tailed hawfinch (Eophona migratoria), is a robust finch species with a commanding presence. It boasts a large head and a strong, conical beak, which is yellow with a black tip, giving rise to its common name. The bird's plumage is a uniform gray, with darker shades on the back and wings, and a lighter, silvery belly with brownish flanks. A distinctive white spot adorns the tips of its black wings, and the tail is also black. The legs are a pale flesh color, and the eyes are brown. There is sexual dimorphism, with the female sporting a gray head mask, contrasting with the male's black.

Identification Tips

When identifying the Chinese grosbeak, look for its large head and robust body, which are typical of finches. The yellow beak with a black tip is a key feature, along with the uniform gray body, darker back, and lighter belly. The white spot on the wing tips and the black tail are also distinctive. Males and females can be differentiated by the color of their head masks.

Habitat

This species is found in forests, mixed woods, and bamboo forests of hilly and mountainous areas. It is not shy of human presence and may venture into gardens and orchards.

Distribution

The Chinese grosbeak inhabits the Russian Far East, China, Manchuria, and Korea.

Behaviour

Outside the breeding season, the Chinese grosbeak tends to form small groups of about ten individuals. These groups move among the trees in search of food and rarely descend to the ground.

Breeding

The Chinese grosbeak breeds in temperate forests and winters in southern parts of China and Japan, Taiwan, and northern Southeast Asia. The female builds a cup-shaped nest in dense vegetation, laying 4 bluish eggs with brown spots. She incubates the eggs alone for 12-13 days, while the male provides food. Both parents feed the young, which fledge at 12-14 days old but remain with their parents for an additional 2-3 weeks.

Diet and Feeding

These granivorous birds primarily feed on seeds, which they easily break with their strong beaks. They also consume other plant materials such as sprouts, berries, and fruit, while animal food like insects is rarely eaten.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List classifies the Chinese grosbeak as Least Concern, indicating that it is not currently at significant risk of extinction in the wild.