Grosbeak family portrait by Ken _Gilliland
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No AI - This artwork was created entirely by hand or with traditional digital tools.
Description
It's funny that I've never used my own Black-headed Grosbeaks in a render (other than an ID plate). I think next to my cardinals, the free grosbeaks are probably the most used SBRM character I see in user renders. Most that I've updated to SBRM3 format (and will be posting them soon), I'm sure they'll continue their reign as one of the most popular birds I've done.
Let me introduce the family... on the left in the female Black-headed Grosbeak, in the middle, the male and up on the right, a first year male. Grosbeaks have a special spot for my wife and I-- being seasonal birds, they show up every year on the week of our wedding anniversary.
Birds Facts:
The Black-headed Grosbeak is found in North America. Summer Range: Breeds from southern British Columbia eastward to western North Dakota, central Kansas, and western Texas southward to southern Mexico. Winter Range: Winters in southern Mexico. It is found in a variety of deciduous and mixed forest habitats.
They aren't endangered and have a population of about 5 millon adults. They primary eat seed.
Despite his showy plumage, the male Black-headed Grosbeak shares about equally with the female in incubating eggs and feeding young. The nest of the Black-headed Grosbeak is widely reported to be so thinly constructed that eggs can be seen through bottom. However, nests are less thin in northern California. Thin nests may provide ventilation and help keep them cool.
The female Black-headed Grosbeak commonly sings unlike many other species of female bird. The female song is generally a simplified version of the male song. Occasionally, the female sings full "male" song, apparently to deceive its mate about the presence of intruders and force him to spend more time at the nest.
The male Black-headed Grosbeak does not get its adult breeding plumage until it is two years old. First-year males can vary from looking like a female to looking nearly like an adult male. Only yearling males that most closely resemble adult males are able to defend a territory and attempt to breed.
Rendered in Poser Pro without no post work. Models: LB Grasses and lilies, xfrog trees, and a bunch of my stuff (Perching places, Seashore House and SBRM)

Comments (13)
excellent ken well done my friend
Excellent work!!
you do birds right.very beautiful
Wonderful render of these lovely birds! :o)
They ARE beautiful. Thanks for all the great updates at your site too. I wish I was in California to attend the Peter Harrison conference. Thanks again for your birds.
Wonderful work Ken, they look most life-like in that beautiful home scene. Jan
Lovely picture!
Great family lineup! Lovely birds and scene!
superb!
A wonderful looking family! Fascinating info too!
Beautiful. Yeah, hadn't thought about it, but the Evening's show up for our anniversary! Great gallery...have to go now and feed the birds inside and out...can't fritter around on the computer anylonger, but I shall return to see your flocks.
Very nice
Great scene Ken! A lovely family indeed! So funny what you said about your cardinal- I just used him too! I really want to get back and do some owl pix with your wonderful owls! Speaking of, finally saw "Legend of the Guardians" the other night and totally thought of you!