Spotted Towhee or Black-headed Grosbeak

Bill Yeates sent me a photo yesterday of a Spotted Towhee, but he had identified it as a Black-headed Grosbeak.  It is easy to see how the mistake can be made by looking at these photos, as the colorization is very similar.  But after looking closer, you can see the differences in the shape of the bill, etc.    The top one is the Spotted Towhee and the bottom is the Black-headed Grosbeak.  Actually I had to check my Sibley’s guide after Bill sent me the photo.  And, by the way, thanks for sending it, Bill

Spotted Towhee

Black-headed Grosbeak