Tuesday, September 25, 2012

The Rose-Breasted Grosbeak

I am linking up with Wild Bird Wednesday and Nature Notes

 For this week's post I am featuring the Rose-Breasted Grosbeak .  These birds only show up in my yard during their migration. They might stop off for a meal or two in the spring and in the fall. They breed in cooler parts of North America. I have seen them during my hikes at Shenandoah Nat'l Park  in the summer months.





The adult breeding male has a black head , back, wings and tail. The male has this bright red rose patch on its breast. They have the white eyebrow or supercilium. They are one of my prettier yardbirds.





They are insect eating birds but they seem to love the Black-oiled sunflower seeds.





The female has darker brown back and wings and the white eyebrow.


Here is an archived shot of a spring male showing the pretty black. His colors are beautiful.


Here is another one of my new warbler yardbirds passing thru. Not the best photo, it was a Cape May Warbler. The warbler are loving this pokeberry. The Cape May Warbler passed thru on the same day as the Rose-Breasted Grosbeak.. I have to say this has been the best year for new warbler yardbirds. 




To see more beautiful and wonderful photos please visit: Stewart's Wild Bird Wednesday and Nature Notes.
Thanks to Stewart for hosting Wild Bird Wednesday and thanks to Michelle for hosting Nature Notes.

43 comments:

mick said...

Great photos of the birds. The Grosbeak is especially beautiful.

EG CameraGirl said...

Gorgeous photos, Eileen. I will be super excited when and if I photograph a rose-breasted grosbeak this well. :))

Findlay Wilde said...

What a fascinating bird to get in your garden. From Findlay

Debbie said...

the grosbeak is a beauty!!

you sure are seeing a lot of action at that feeder!!

Adam Jones said...

Lovely birds to get in your garden. Nice shots too.

Cloudy said...

Derist ja echt toll...

Lieben Gruß
CL

TexWisGirl said...

wonderful shots of these grosbeaks! i've only seen one or two migrating thru here. :)

vivi ka said...

Great photos as always. All birds are beautiful!

HansHB said...

A great photo!! Perfect post for WBW!

NatureFootstep said...

don´t think I have seen this one before. It has a very interesting coloring. .)

Carletta said...

The dark background in the first shot really shows off the wonderful coloring of the Grosbeak.
Lovely shot!
Have a great week Eileen!

Unknown said...

They are beautiful!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

Beth said...

What a beautiful bird, Eileen. I've only seen a rose-breasted grosbeak once. It would be such a treat to see one again. I can tell you are an avid birder; you have great photos to show for your patience.

carol l mckenna said...

Love the birds ~ Great shots ~ right in your own backyard ~ (A Creative Harbor) ~ thanks for coming by and commenting ^_^

Linda said...

What a gorgeous visitor! I would be thrilled to see one of them...

Dan Huber said...

Wonderful shots of the grosbeak, I always enjoy watching them at my feeders.

Rohrerbot said...

Holy cow! Another awesome bird in your yard. This is one I'm looking for here....and sometimes it stops by .....but they are very difficult to find sometimes. Glad you had an awesome visitor to your yard. Beautiful bird.

caite said...

Love that head on pic, the second one.

Anonymous said...

Hi Eileen Beautiful Rose-breasted Grosbeak. I have never seen one. I sure would love to get a sighting. Supposedly these birds are in our general community in the Winter and Spring so maybe I will have a chance to see one. Who knows? Have an excellent Wed. tomorrow!

AVCr8teur said...

Nice captures. You are so lucky to get such interesting guests regularly.

Gillian Olson said...

The grosbeak is beautiful, great pictures.

Lew said...

Delightful series of flowers, birds and critters!

Carole M. said...

..a beautiful little bird indeed

Zenserly said...

it must love the pokeberry so much! if I were a bird I think I will too :-) lovely wings captures as always ;D

Neil said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Stewart M said...

Great pictures - your bird has a very solid beak - just like the one I posted - But I dont think they are closely related.

Cheers - Stewart M - Australia

Bob Bushell said...

I love the Grosbeak, well done Eileen.

i stora drag said...

Great photos of this colourful bird in your garden! I don't think we have them here.
Have a nice weeek! Greetings Pia

diane b said...

That must be exciting for a birder. The first gut looks like he has been dabbed with a paintbrush.

Phil Slade said...

Lovely pictures of the grosbeak Eileen and what a super bird to have regularly in your garden, even if it is only at migration time. I remember those chaps from Canada giving me some painful nips with their super strong bills.

DIMI said...

Great photos Eileen!The birds look so cute!Wish you a lovely day!
Dimi..

Betty Manousos said...

what an adorable post, dear eileen!

such beautiful birds and flowers...
this totally uplifted my morning!
thank you:)

Jen Sanford said...

Ooh I wish we had the Rose-breasted Grosbeak out here... Such a gorgeous bird!

Michelle said...

What a cool bird feeder, he's sitting on it like a swing. :)

John said...

What a cracking bird Eileen! I would love to have one of these turn up in my back garden! I would have a fit!
J
Follow me at HEDGELAND TALES

Emilie's daughter said...

Lovely, Eileen! I love birds and yours are especially beautiful! Christa

Emilie's daughter said...

gh

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

I would love to see that bird! Just beautiful.

Ebie said...

She is a beautiful bird! And I love your header photo - a field of sunflowers!

laurak/ForestWalkArt :) said...

wow, that grosbeak is a beautiful bird!!! i've never seen one around here!! great shots!!

Crafty Green Poet said...

the grosbeak is such a pretty bird!

Dianne said...

I can't imagine life without beautiful and ever changing skies ... they light up our day.
Hoping your week is going well Eileen
xx

Rambling Woods said...

We didn't have a pair that nested and brought their young to the feeders...I love them...Michelle

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