Rose-breasted Grosbeak

One of the prettiest birds to arrive in late spring with its Robin like song sung from the treetops.

It's a beginning of of claiming territories attracting a mate and raising another nest of young in a new season.

Description

The Male Rose-breasted Grosbeak Has a black head and back with a deep rose triangle on his breast. The males belly is white.

Female Rose-breasted Grosbeaks are a more plain brown with two white wing bars and a prominent white eye stripe.

Orange yellow wing linings and heavy streaking on white breast. Often mistaken for a large sparrow.

Both have the familiar heavy conical bill common to Grosbeaks.

Mating/Courtship

Mainly the courtship consist of the male singing during flight in order to attract a female. Sometimes a courtship dance is offered by the male for the female.

Nesting Habits

Both male and female build the nest. The nest is cup-shaped and built using fine twigs, roolets and weeds. Located in a tree 5 to 25 feet above the ground.

The female lays 3 to 5 eggs that are blue green with brown markings. Incubation last 13 to 14 days. Both male and female incubate the eggs.

Young fledge in 9 to 12 days after hatching. Both adult birds feed the young.

Feeding Habits

Spring is the time to feed these birds. Rose-breasted Grosbeaks glean food from tree foliage. Insects, seeds, tree buds, and some fruit are what these birds eat.

Try attracting them to your feeders by offering Black-oil sunflower seed.