Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Pheucticus ludovicianus

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Identification

Field notes

20 cm (8") Common. Canada west of Rockies and eastern U.S. Deciduous forests near open fields, second growth, suburbs, orchards, feeders.

Huge white bill.

Male: black head and back. Bright red breast. White underparts and rump. White wing bars.

In flight; underwings show white patch and red wingpits.

Female: looks somewhat like a large sparrow. Brownish and heavily streaked. White eyebrow stripe. Similar female Black-headed Grosbeak is more finely streaked below.

May hybridize with the western Black-headed Grosbeak where ranges overlap in Great Plains.

Song: Robin-like.

Details in the field

Photo gallery

3 photos

Credit: Judy Howle

Credit: Larry Bond

Credit: Larry Bond

Watch and learn

Videos

1 video

Rose-breasted Grosbeak Portrait

Credit: Larry Bond

Where it lives

Distribution maps

Source legend · original intervals

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Unshaded in source · does not imply absence

Generic and winter maps may use different intervals.

Bird Advisor Identification rules 2 variants 2 rules

These are the observation paths the Bird Advisor can use to identify this species. Each rule is an alternative match.

Rose-Breasted Grosbeak (Male)

1 rule

Rule 1 12 criteria confidence 5

What was the sex of the bird ?: Male · Unknown
Was the RUMP or LOWER BACK light ?: Yes · Unknown
What colour was the BELLY ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: Red, or pink · Unknown
What colour was the THROAT ?: Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the BILL ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Yellow · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Conical and thick · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Very short · Short · Medium · Unknown
What colour were the CHEEKS ?: Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the TOP of HEAD ?: Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Sparrow-sized · Robin-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Songbird (ground or perching bird)

result:868-rose-breasted-grosbeak-male:1:1 Source: 868 Rose-Breasted Grosbeak (Male), row 1

Rose-Breasted Grosbeak (Female)

1 rule

Rule 1 13 criteria confidence 5

What was the sex of the bird ?: Female · Unknown
Did the WINGS have STRIPES or PATCHES ?: Yes · Unknown
Were the SIDES STREAKED, SPOTTED or BARRED ?: Yes · Unknown
What colour PATTERN if any was on the BACK ?: Streaked, mottled, spotted, or barred · Unknown
What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ?: Streaked lengthwise (from head to tail) · Barred crosswise (from side to side) · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Unknown
What colour was the THROAT ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Conical and thick · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Very short · Short · Medium · Unknown
What FACIAL or HEAD features were noted if any ?: Light area over, below, behind or around the eye · Unknown
Was the HEAD striped ?: Yes · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Sparrow-sized · Robin-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Sparrow-like · Songbird (ground or perching bird)

result:869-rose-breasted-grosbeak-female:1:1 Source: 869 Rose-Breasted Grosbeak (Female), row 1