Male Rose-breasted grosbeak spotted tonight at our backyard feeder. The red splotches in the background are Turk’s cap blooms.
The rose-breasted grosbeak is one of our favorite feeder birds. However, since it only nests in Georgia in the hardwood forests found in the higher elevations of the Blue Ridge Mountains, most of us only get to see this striking bird during its spring and fall migrations.
A couple of weeks ago Debbie in Forsyth reported one at her feeder. However, my wife spotted the first rose-breasted grosbeak in our yard October 3.
The male rose-breasted grosbeak is easy to identify. It is our only bird that has black and white plumage and a bright red triangle on its breast.
Females are a little trickier to identify as they look much like a very large sparrow with brown upperparts and wings. Its breast is off white and streaked with brown. She also displays a white line over her eye.
The birds that are currently passing through the state are en route to their winter home which extends from Mexico southward into South America.
If you would like to give yourself a chance to see one of these birds fill one of your feeders with black oil sunflower seeds.
While it is possible to see a migrating rose-breasted grosbeak just about anywhere in the state, your chances are better if you live in the western portion of the Peach State.
I had 2 red-breasted grosbeaks at my feeder today. I live in Decatur, GA
I had a rose-breasted grosbeak at my feeder today. I live S.E. of Lawrenceville North of New Hope Rd
I have three on my feeders today in Norcross. So pretty!
Seen in warner robins ga. 5 01 2020
Not at my feeders in Ellijay. Usually have a number by now.
8 female grosbeak and two male and 1 junival… Gainesville,ga
I had a female grosbeak at my feeder yesterday. I was shocked. I thought it was a little late in the season for this? I get the males & females, for days, every fall. I live in the Buford area.
We have 3 males and 4 females at our feeder today in Gainesville Ga on Lake Lanier. They are beautiful but very pushy to the other bird’s.
We have around 6 right now at our feeder . We are in Gainesville Ga on Lake Lanier. We have never in 25 years of living here seen this many. They are beautiful but very pushy.
I had one stop on our feeder april 30 2023 Jackson ga
Buster,
Thanks for reporting the grosbeaks. I have seen a handful in Forsyth. In addition, a woman in Culloden has seen some too. If you are like me, you wish they would stay all yeaer.
Terry
Two males and a female have been showing up for the past week in Grayson, GA. May 1st – 8th 2023. Wondering how long they’ll stay. We’ve been here four years, and these are the first we’ve seen. Haven’t seen the males today, but the female was just out there.
David,
I apologize for taking this long to get back to you. I just became aware of question. There is no easy answer to your question. It depends on factors such as weather, availability of food and the status of the migration (early to late). Interesting whether they show up at all varies from year to year.
Terry
I saw a pair just now Oct. 28 th