General

Rose-breasted Grosbeak: Large finch with black head and back, bright red breast, and white rump, sides, and belly. Wings are black with white patches above and red, white, and black below. Tail is long, slightly notched, and black with white patches. Female has scaled brown upperparts, streaked brown underparts, and yellow and brown underwings.

Range and Habitat

Rose-breasted Grosbeak: Breeds from northeastern British Columbia, southern Manitoba, and Nova Scotia south to southern Alberta, central North Dakota, central Oklahoma, and New Jersey, and in the mountains as far south as northern Georgia; also a regular visitor on the west coast and winters from central Mexico through Central America and into northern South America. Preferred habitats include moist woodlands adjacent to open fields with tall shrubs and old, overgrown orchards.

Listen to Call

Voice Text

"eek-eek"

Interesting Facts

 The Rose-breasted Grosbeak will mate with the Black-headed Grosbeak where the population densities of both species are low.

 The name “grosbeak” is from the French word grosbec and means “large beak.”

 Unlike most songbird species, the female is known to sing.

 A group of grosbeaks are collectively known as a "gross" of grosbeaks.

Author

Gary Owen Dick