The spring migration of the rose-breasted grosbeak has begun. Like many of our songbirds, rose-breasted grosbeaks migrate at night in small flocks. These flocks can be composed of upwards of 50 individuals.
The birds that are now arriving in our yards wintered in Central and South America. After spending some time refueling in our backyards they will continue on northward to the summer homes. Here in the Peach State rose-breasted grosbeaks only nest in the extreme northeastern corner of the state. Consequently, the vast majority of the birds that pass through Georgia backyards breed in the Appalachian Mountains, Mideast, Northeast, and southern Canada.
Like ruby-throated hummingbirds, male rose-breasted grosbeaks are the first to migrate. A few weeks later, the females make their first appearance at our feeders.
The best way to attract rose-breasted grosbeaks to your yard is to offer the hungry birds a generous supply of black oil sunflower seeds. Providing the birds with a place to bathe and drink is also helpful.
Wow! Spotting a blue grosbeak is fantastic. Since the habitat around my neighborhood has changed away from what blue grosbeaks like, I have not seen any at my feeders in several years.
Most years, I see the rose breasted grosbeaks for a couple of weeks migrating north. The earliest I have seen them was April 12 years ago but lately, it has been late April. This year, I have not seen any and of course, today is April 29th. I am very disappointed.
I am sorry to hear you have not seen a rose-breasted grosbeak so far this year. I too am still waiting for my first. Hopefully we both will get lucky and see one before the spring migration has passed Georgia.
Wonderful. Your sighting shows the birds are making their way north. I have not yet seen one. I know folks in New England are awaiting rose-breasted grosbeaks. As for me, I have not seen one in Middle Georgia yet.
Edward,
It appears that the migration passed my Georgia home quite some time ago. Perhaps since you just spotted your first I still have a chance of seeing one this spring.
I live in sarasota county, FL near the coast. I saw a rose breasted grosbeak at my feeder late yesterday!
Do the rose chested grosbeak‘s stay around for… at least a week or two?
I know this fella just showed up b/c my office window looks out at my bird feeder- every day at different times of the day I watch the birds come and go…
My feeder has black oil sunflower seeds shelled sunflower seeds whole peanuts… Everything I’ve read they like at a feeder?!
In Mo. we see thae grossbeaks almost same day each year. Ourfirst ones here April 27th 2022, They are still here ,and more than ever Amazing how same day almost every year, Herb
That is truly amazing. They arrived in Middle Georgia last week. Interestingly, my cousin in Massachusetts saw his first last week too. They must spread out widely during migration. Thank you very much for your response.
This years has been great, a couple of females early. Then a month ago the males show up. See 5 males at once at the feeder, but not seen the females as often. They all disappeared this week. I’m in Cincinnati, Ohio are they migrating through, females first and stay a month after the males get here.
Thanks for sharing you sighting. It is amazing to learn that while we have them in Georgia and the birds are also as far north as Ohio. I must admit though, we have not seen any here since May 11.
Several at my feeder yesterday 👍
Gene,
I still have not seen one. I’m glad some are passing through.
Terry
Where did you see? I saw one today on my feeder North Carolina. Very Beautiful outstanding bird! Im so exited! first time ever.
That is fantastic. Seeing a rose-breasted grosbeak for the first time is a memorable experience.
Terry
Saw first today!!!!!
Several at my feeder yesterday 👍
Wonderful news. It is great to find others are seeing them. As of yet, I have not seen any.
Terry
I was on the lookout after this post and saw an Eastern Blue Grosbeak yesterday at my feeder! Love this site.
P. Smith,
Wow! Spotting a blue grosbeak is fantastic. Since the habitat around my neighborhood has changed away from what blue grosbeaks like, I have not seen any at my feeders in several years.
Terry
PS: I am glad you like the blog.
Saw 2 males at my feeders this morning, first time for me in villa Rica ga
I am glad to hear they have reached Villa Rica. So far the birds have missed my home near Forsyth.
Terry
Most years, I see the rose breasted grosbeaks for a couple of weeks migrating north. The earliest I have seen them was April 12 years ago but lately, it has been late April. This year, I have not seen any and of course, today is April 29th. I am very disappointed.
Margaret,
I am sorry to hear you have not seen a rose-breasted grosbeak so far this year. I too am still waiting for my first. Hopefully we both will get lucky and see one before the spring migration has passed Georgia.
Terry
Had two beautiful rose-breasted grosbeaks at my feeders in East Tennessee today!! First grosbeaks I have seen in many years. I was so excited!!
Debbie,
Wonderful. Your sighting shows the birds are making their way north. I have not yet seen one. I know folks in New England are awaiting rose-breasted grosbeaks. As for me, I have not seen one in Middle Georgia yet.
Terry
I just saw one at my feeder for the first time ever! (Indiana) So beautiful!!
Lisa,
Congratualtions. Seeing a picture of the bird in a book does not compare to seeing it in the wild.
Terry
I saw a beautiful male out back on my maple tree this morning. That beautiful red triangle on his breast really caught my eye. In update New York.
Donna,
That is super. A beautiful bird seen in a beautiful part of the country–it does not get much better than that!
Terry
I am still seeing them on my feeders in East Tennessee!! Over the weekend I spotted several females along with two large and beautiful males!!
That is interesting. Last week I heard they just reached Massachusetts.
Terry
just seen my first pair of rose breaste grosbeaks at my feeders
Edward,
It appears that the migration passed my Georgia home quite some time ago. Perhaps since you just spotted your first I still have a chance of seeing one this spring.
Terry
I live in sarasota county, FL near the coast. I saw a rose breasted grosbeak at my feeder late yesterday!
Do the rose chested grosbeak‘s stay around for… at least a week or two?
I know this fella just showed up b/c my office window looks out at my bird feeder- every day at different times of the day I watch the birds come and go…
My feeder has black oil sunflower seeds shelled sunflower seeds whole peanuts… Everything I’ve read they like at a feeder?!
Gosh I sure hope I see him again :-)!
Thanks, Krystina,
They arrived in Middle Georgia about a week ago.
In Mo. we see thae grossbeaks almost same day each year. Ourfirst ones here April 27th 2022, They are still here ,and more than ever Amazing how same day almost every year, Herb
Herb,
That is truly amazing. They arrived in Middle Georgia last week. Interestingly, my cousin in Massachusetts saw his first last week too. They must spread out widely during migration. Thank you very much for your response.
May 5th 14 males and equally as many females at feeders. Most I’ve ever seen. Each day seems to bring more Feeding in group Missouri
This years has been great, a couple of females early. Then a month ago the males show up. See 5 males at once at the feeder, but not seen the females as often. They all disappeared this week. I’m in Cincinnati, Ohio are they migrating through, females first and stay a month after the males get here.
We’ve had 4 pair at our feeder this weekend. First time ever. Eaton Ohio
Becky,
Thanks for sharing you sighting. It is amazing to learn that while we have them in Georgia and the birds are also as far north as Ohio. I must admit though, we have not seen any here since May 11.