Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Look!

Up in the sky!

A Rose-breasted Grosbeak putting on the Superman pose.

This ounce and a half bird with an outsized attitude and a striking red breast can be found in the Eastern half of the United States along forest edges and woodlots.

These three adult males appear to be traveling together on a warm spring day through the Lion's Den Nature Preserve in Grafton, Wisconsin.

To get to North America they likely flew across the Gulf of Mexico in one single night all the way from Central or South America.

That's pretty Super... man!

Both males and females have a whistling, sweet song. Check out the music they make on Cornell University's website:

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Rose-breasted_Grosbeak/sounds

The aim of all the singing is to impress a female Rose-breasted Grosbeak.

She sings the same sweet song, but has arrived here in a far less showy fashion as is typical for female birds.

I found her hiding deep inside a tree full of spring pear blossoms and wary of my intentions.

female

Rose-breasted Grosbeaks are medium sized, stocky songbirds slightly smaller than the American Robin. They're widespread and common, yet, I'm surprised as to how few I get to see while birding. Grosbeaks are just one bird that seems to elude me.

'Super' or not, he is one distinguished bird.

With a bird feeder full of sunflower seeds and raw peanuts you may entice the Rose-breasted Grosbeak to visit you. The caveat being you must live in the eastern half of the United States.

Allan

Credits: Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds
The Sibley's Guide to Birds