Rose-Breasted Grosbeak

May 2, 2026

The Rose-Breasted Grosbeak is known for its whistled song, but that is all the male and female have in common. The major difference between the male and female is the male has the brilliant colored pink chest on a white background. These colors are accented by their dark black hood or feathers that runs from their tail to its head and it has a pale bill. The female is kind of bland but has a distinct white stripe that runs just above its eyes. Its upper body is light brown with a white under belly. It has a pale beak like the male.

Rose-Breasted Grosbeak is common throughout New England, Southern Canada to central United States and the mountains of Northern Georgia. The Rose-Breasted Grosbeak winters in Mexico to northern South America. They start to return north late April and early May and head south starting mid October.

Rose-Breasted Grosbeak make their nest in low trees or tall shrubs. The female builds what may be called a flimsy nest, looking like a cup. Rose-Breasted Grosbeak are known to forage high in the tree canopy where they may be hard to spot by bird enthusiasts. They do come down frequently to feast on berries that are on the ground. We have found that they love our bird feeder with either oil sun flower seeds or wild bird mix.

Other then berries Rose-Breasted Grosbeak feed on insects, seeds, buds, fruit ,and have been known to eat flying insects. And yes they like to visit back yard feeders.

Categories: Backyard Birds, Birds