by DJ Featherton

There are seven species of Grosbeaks in the U.S. and all of them are beautiful. The most unique and dramatic, however, is the flashy and easy to attract Rose-breasted Grosbeak. The male has a stately black back and wings with white checked accents and white underparts. Even more stunning is his large black head and a fabulous rosy-red triangular patch under his chin and down his broad breast. There’s no other backyard bird like him! The female is subtly brown-striped with a light eyebrow. These birds are the size of a robin, and they will enjoy your backyard feeder.

Many birders say you hear them before you see them. This songbird has one of the finest and sweetest songs of the forest. Something like the American Robin, but so much sweeter. Their call is so distinctive and clear that some say they are operatic. Their song by itself will attract the attention of the most common birder. As Audubon describes, “Its distinctive call note is a sharp, penetrating, metallic eek-eek. Song is like that of an American Robin, but softer and more melodious.”

The Rose-breasted Grosbeak breeds in the eastern U.S. and up into Canada. Migration takes them into Central and South America. Whether as local residents or in migration, these cool birds are common to most second growth forests, towns and city parks, and backyards with feeders. Their diet is wide, including most berries, seeds and insects. A variety of feeders with sunflower and safflower seed and some peanuts will bring these beauties into your backyard. 

The seven types of Grosbeaks all share the similar stout, conical beak used to crack seedshells. The seven types are the Black-headed, the Blue, the Crimson-collared, the Evening, the Pine, the Yellow, and, of course, the Rose-breasted Grosbeak. All of these special birds are well-worth knowing about. Each has a distinct quality. The flashy black and white Rose-breasted Grosbeak with his proud and showy rosy-red breast, however, remains a very favored backyard beauty! I’ll see ya out there!