Rose-breasted Grosbeak

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The Rose-breasted Grosbeak is hereby dubbed the “Bird of the Week.” I wish these birds were year round residents of Georgia, but we only get them for a short period of time when they are migrating. Right now they are en route to Canada or the Northern United States where they will spend the summer.

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The male grosbeak is a striking bird with a bold black and white pattern accentuated with a large splotch of red on his breast. The underside of his wings (which I have not been quick enough to photograph) has a velvety red patch. The female is light brown and off-white, with a slightly speckled breast and a creamy stripe over her eye.   If you want to see a picture of a female, check out this post from my blogging buddy, Alan, over at North Florida Friends –
http://skyblue43.wordpress.com/2014/04/21/rose-breasted-grosbeak-female/

Rose-breasted Grosbeaks are stocky birds with sturdy, seed-crushing beaks. I have found them to be gentle and quite approachable.

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This fellow (whom I named Darby for reasons that are unknown even to me) has been hanging around my backyard all week. He has feasted on sunflower seeds, fueling up for the journey that awaits him.

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Published by kathydoremus

Amateur nature "photogriter." One who still marvels at majesty.

15 thoughts on “Rose-breasted Grosbeak”

  1. Very nice photos of such a beautiful bird. I have enjoyed them in North Florida this week also. We just have the two pairs and I hope they hang around for a while.

    Alan

    1. Alan – I tried to put a link to your blog on my post so folks could see a photo of the female, but I haven’t figured out how to successfully do that!

      1. Hi Kathy,
        The only way I know how to add a link on your post would be to bookmark the link you want to add, then go to your post where you want to add the link, and click on edit, (near the bottom where it says-This entry was posted in:) Then you go to your bookmark, copy, and past it where you want it to appear in your post and hit update. That should work? I feel honored that you thought about my female grosbeak!

        Thanks,
        Alan
        http://skyblue43.wordpress.com/2014/04/21/rose-breasted-grosbeak-female/

      1. Miss seeing you too!! Love your posts and at least we can, somewhat keep in touch via FB! Love to you and all the family!

  3. Kathy,

    I have noticed how aggressive the Mockingbird’s are to the Male Grosbeaks. They chase them away from the feeders quite often. I know they are very territorial birds but they don’t chase the other birds the same way. Maybe they are jealous of these pretty birds, or they don’t like newcomers.

    Alan

      1. I guess the birds have their reasons for what they do. The Mockingbirds are the bullies this week. The woodpeckers will also try and chase some of the other birds off of the feeders at times. I didn’t see as many robins this winter, and they have all left North Florida as far as I can tell.

        Alan

  4. Pingback: Rose-breasted Grosbeaks–leaf-gleaners dressed in shocking black, white, and red, are mostly heard, wished for, but not seen. Except here. (A 420 Character, 9-Line Poem by Patty) | Words We Women Write

  5. Just had a male Rose-Breasted Grosbeak at my feeder…the Blue Jays chased it away but was great to see it!

  7. I saw an unusual bird at my suet feeder this morning and looked in my bird book but could not find it. I googled it, and I think it’s a Rose Crested Grosbeak. I have never seen one before and it was beautiful.

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