ML644964715

Observation details

Heard giving distinctive musical "fee-yu" and "preer!"calls, reminiscent of an Evening Grosbeak. In salt cedars near seed pile. One of the female/immature birds perched briefly in a goldenrod before diving out of sight. Was able to see them moving in the salt cedar, but not good looks. Group of seven landed on side of the road to eat seeds at 16:13 and sat contentedly for a minute or two. An eighth bird could be heard calling from the salt cedars at this point. Smallish birds, essentially the size of an Indigo Bunting but more ovoid shape (not as "chesty" as an Indigo Bunting). Varying ages, three with extensive black feathers with fine white vermiculation on chests and lower bellies. Mahoganycoloration on the head/face. Others paler yellowish-tan below with limited mahogany around the bill. Bills very heavy and dark. Dark iris. Probably more regular in NW Galveston County (adjacent areas of greater-Houston where naturalized). Very irregular on Galveston Island, seemingly most often in the fall.