The rose breasted grosbeaks are visitors to the garden from May to about October. Both the male and female come to the feeders, snack off berries on the honeysuckle and bring their young to the feeders.
They will visit all the different types of feeders. Here is a female at the coconut feeder that is filled with a mixture of wild bird seed.
This male is at the black oil sunflower feeder and you get a good view of the big beak. The male grosbeak is black, white with red on its breast and is very noticeable at the different feeders. They can be up to 22 cm on length
A young grosbeak snacks on the honeysuckle berries. It can take up to a year for them to attain their adult plumage.
The females and the young are streaked brown and white and their large beaks give them their name. This one enjoys the coconut feeder.
The pair are in the garden frequently, here at different feeders. The nests are made from twigs, leave, grasses and weeds and are usually in bushes or small trees. They don’t use nesting boxes.
The male grosbeak enjoys a variety of feeders. They are a medium sized bird with a thick/stocky beak. As well as seed they eat fruit and insects.
After a summer with us they migrate to Central and South America for the winter.
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Jennifer Jilks
Don’t you love them?!
Crafty Gardener
Love having the grosbeaks in the garden, especially when they bring their young ones.
Karen, Pixel Posts
I have them in my yard too. Beautiful little birds.
Crafty Gardener
They sure are, we look forward to their return each spring. Thanks for visiting, enjoy the day.
Margie
Thanks to your blog, I’ve started noticing the birds that wander in my yard!
Crafty Gardener
That is great Margie, but as you are home more you probably look outside a lot more too. Have a good day.
Margy
I think I might have seen a male Grosbeak on our walk the other day. Here in Washington State the breast is more muted and larger. It was a quick look as it went into a bush so I could be wrong. – Margy
betty - NZ
Oh, they are such a gorgeous pair! It always amazes me the difference in coloring between the male and female.
Your link is a great addition to ‘My Corner of the World’ this week!
Monika Ohson | TravelerInMe
Hi Betty, in the avi-fauna kingdom the male gender is more attractive and flamboyant a few exception being there.
Monika Ohson | TravelerInMe
I have been seeing a lot of grosbeak photo posts. They have such an interesting color combination.
You have photographed them so well Linda. Its good to see that you have so many bird feeders around. The birds must be really happy 🙂
Crafty Gardener
We love watching the birds in the garden, and have a lot of feeders, sometimes we think too many and other times not enough. Thanks for visiting today.
Lucy Corrander
It certainly looks a strong beak.
Crafty Gardener
All the better for cracking seeds with!
Eileen
Hello, They are both so pretty. The Rose-breasted Grosbeak has been one of my many favorite birds. Wonderful collection of photos.
Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Enjoy your day, wishing you a happy weekend! PS, thanks for visiting and commenting on my blog.
Crafty Gardener
Thanks Eileen, birds have been a wonderful distraction during this stay at home time, mind you we don’t wander that far and always appreciate the feathered visitors.
Eileen
I feel the same way, the birds are a great distraction during these stay at home times. Have a great day!
Veronica Lee
How delightful to have such lovely visitors to your garden!
Crafty Gardener
We appreciate watching the birds Veronica, thanks for stopping by.
Lavender Dreams
What beautiful birds! I haven’t seen one of those here but yesterday I saw a Blue Grosbeak and that was rare and exciting! I love colorful birds that you can easily spot! You got great pics!
Crafty Gardener
Ooooh, a blue grosbeak would be a treat to see. Must look that one up. Have a lovely day Dianne.
Anu
They are beautiful birds. Birds in the garden bring joy to people.
Take care!
Crafty Gardener
It certainly does Anu, we love watching the birds at any time of the year.
Anni
Wonderful. You are lucky to have them stay around ’til October. We see them only for a week or two during migration.
Taking time from your day to share this post is appreciated at I’d Rather B Birdin this week…thanks!
Crafty Gardener
We look forward to the arrival of the grosbeaks in the late spring. At least you see them during migration times.
Jean
Loved seeing your grosbeaks. I was so so sad when ours left as it was the first time ever they’d stopped in our backyard. Maybe I’ll see them again passing by during the fall. Fingers crossed. In the mean time, I’ll just enjoy your wonderful photos!
Adam Jones
Those males are so colourful.
Nature Notes
I had a pair nest and bring their young to the feeders…love them