Crimson-collared Grosbeak, Texas

On 14 December three people including Jamie Ritter reported finding a female (plumage) Crimson-collared Grosbeak Rhodothraupis celaeno at Frontera Audubon Sanctuary in the Texas Lower Rio Grande Valley.  Crimmson-collared Grobeak, ABA Code (V4), is a northeast Mexico endemic, resident from central Nuevo Leon to northern Veracruz states. All but two of the 18 reports (12 records)  in the U.S. come from the Lower Rio Grande Valley and all but one from the winter months.  The two big "invasion" years were during the 2004-2005 winter with nine reports and in 1987-1988 with six winter reports. (2008 ABA Checklist)   Photo of Frontera Audubon Crimson-collared Grosbeak is courtesy of Lynn E. Barber.