It’s always exciting to see a new bird at your feeder. Not that the old faithful’s aren’t worthy visitors, but to see an unfamiliar bird is special.
About two weeks ago, I saw such a bird. It was a cloudy day and early in the morning, so the light wasn’t good, but I did not recognize the bird on the sunflower heart feeder. I had a hunch and looked it up and it was, as I thought, a female Rose-Breasted Grosbeak. She was a brownish gray with streaks on her chest and head something akin to a bobwhite quail. I was pretty sure of my identification, but a week later, it was confirmed. A beautiful male, Rose-Breasted Grosbeak was feeding away on the tempting sunflower hearts, and I have seen him several times since. My suspicions are that he and his lady friend were just passing through, on their way to nesting grounds, but it would be really nice if they found a homestead nearby.
Grosbeaks are plump birds, about the size of a mockingbird, but chubbier. The male is vividly adorned with black and white plumage and his signature marking, a bright rose colored patch on his chest, completes the identification.
The birds are usually seen during spring and fall migrations as they nest in mature forests, often at elevations above 3,000 feet. Interestingly, veteran bird watchers say that the males usually appear first, then the females, but it was the other way around in my backyard.
I seriously doubt my new friends will stick around. But maybe, just maybe, they’ll pass my way again this fall. They are stunning creatures.
As I always advise my fellow birders, if you really want to attract lots of interesting birds, keep one of your feeders filled with sunflower hearts or chips.
