Earlier today, I traveled to Berryville to see the “mega rare” Yellow Grosbeak that has been visiting a feeder on a private ranch since February 17.
Yellow Grosbeaks are found in Mexico. As described by an eBird report, “it very rarely ends upon the United States and almost always in the Southwest. Having one show up in Arkansas is truly remarkable, with only one other comparable instance in Iowa in 1990.”
This grosbeak is bigger than the grosbeak species found in the United States, and has a very stout bill and white wing markings. Males have a rich golden yellow with black wings and tails with white spots (such as the one currently in Arkansas). Females are similar but with a more olive upper part.
While the sighting is confirmed and birders from other states are starting to arrive to see the Yellow Grosbeak, the sighting is still under review by the Arkansas Bird Records Committee. If approved, this would be the first new addition to Arkansas’s state bird list since 2022.
Memos for Me 