I was pleased to get this image! As I walked the Riverbank Path in Springfield, I spotted this bird in the gravel along the path. At first, I thought it was a Spotted Towhee. But the white on its wings wasn't spots, it was more like patches, and the beak was broader than the towhee. Funny that the name, 'Grosbeak', came to mind. So when I got home I checked my bird books and sure enough it matches the description of the Black-headed Grosbeak!

I don't remember ever seeing one before, but the books show it to be common to the Western US. Maybe this is my first one! But it is possible that I have seen one and thought it to be a towhee, not getting close enough to see the difference. It was a thrill, nevertheless!