Rose-breasted Grosbeak

[PhotoHobbyist116 143]

Yesterday, I got a stranger at my bird feeder. A migrating female Rose-breasted Grosbeak. She ate her fill and left. I hope she brings back her mate before flying north. The male is quite spectacular. Fingers crossed.

 

[terri35 7]

That's awesome. You're just North of Atlanta, right? The few times I've seen these beauties have been in Georgia - always on their way someplace else.

You're right about the males, too - stunning birds! Fingers crossed she hangs out for another day or so and brings him over to your feeder.

 

[PhotoHobbyist116 143]

Today is the fourth day in a row that the female Rose-breasted Grosbeak has eaten at my feeder, but still no mate has appeared. Today, I saw the below while photographing the Grosbeak. A mother blue bird showed up with her chick to feed!

 

[terri35 7]

No, I think your initial assessment was correct - a quick Google search showed what a fledgling bluebird looks like, and you have one!

Man - your feeder has been full of riches lately! Very nice capture of mama feeding that little guy.

 

[PhotoHobbyist116 143]

I think you are right after looking at googled chicks. It is a bluebird chick. Lots of birds in my backyard! I use motion detection feature and capture several hundred pics a day. Much easier to scan through them to see who is showing up than watching it all day. Occasionally, I get something peculiar. I think that Grosbeak is lonely. She is paying attention to the cardinals. Maybe their red color confuses her into thinking they are a mate?

 

[terri35 7]

I think you are right after looking at googled chicks. It is a bluebird chick. Lots of birds in my backyard! I use motion detection feature and capture several hundred pics a day. Much easier to scan through them to see who is showing up than watching it all day. Occasionally, I get something peculiar. I think that Grosbeak is lonely. She is paying attention to the cardinals. Maybe their red color confuses her into thinking they are a mate?

View attachment 296450

Wow! That's interesting behavior. Usually it's enough just to see them sharing the feeder without pecking at each other. She really looks like she's ready to join the Cardinal flock, friendly with the female, too.

(As you may have guessed, I like observing critter behavior, too.)

 

[HughGuessWho98 13]

They are beautiful birds. We've seen them just north of Chattanooga for the last week. Last year was the first time we noticed them on our feeders. Truly hope they keep coming back.

 

[PhotoHobbyist116 143]

Thought I should post the end of the female Grosbeak story. She ate heavily for four days in a row and now has been absent for three days in a row. I'm sure she continued her migration to the northeast US with a full belly. Looks like grosbeaks find a mate in the northeast so she won't be alone for long according to AI.

AI - Breeding Behavior: Pair Formation: Male grosbeaks often arrive early to establish territories in the northeast U.S. and attract females with their song.

The bluebird mom is now showing up with two babies. I threw in a couple of extra pics I liked.