Cheers Eric, thank you for taking the time to help me.
I did some nosing around and I think you’re spot on- the female Black-headed Grosbeak has the same coloring as well as the streaks/markings on the sides of her head. The bird I saw must have been a fully grown female- she was more chunky and rounder than how she looks in the pictures.
Many thanks, Im glad I joined this community of knowledgeable bird watchers. Cheers, Scott.
Arvind- Whoa! That is a stunning collection of beautiful birds so close to your home- All of them are striking but that Coppersmith Barbet is stunning. I think that is my favorite bird of those 6. I’d love to see them in person. What’s your favorite of those 6 birds?
We have a bird here in my town in California that is similar to your Black Ramped Flameback- The Acorn woodpecker, it has more of a round head but the body size and the striking red white and black colors are very similar.