Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Pheucticus ludovicianus
Identifying Black-Headed and
Rose-Breasted Grosbeaks: Breast color and streaking separates most female birds
of these two species, but there is variation, and not all individuals are
identifiable. Also beware of hybrids, which are seen regularly in the small
area of range overlap but only occasionally elsewhere. Confusion is created by
some worn Black-headed females (May-Aug) with whitish breasts, but these will
have also lost most breast streaking through wear. A more common source of
confusion is some 1st winter Rose-breasted males (Aug-Mar) with
finely streaked buffy breasts like Black-headed. These birds have pink
underwing coverts, however, and usually some pinkish on the breast. Also beware
that 1st summer males of both species are quite variable and that
Rose-breasted can be extensively buffy on underparts. Determining age and sex
can be a useful step toward identification.
Voice: Song is a slow,
whistled warble, sort of robinlike but slightly husky in quality, without
gurgling notes; pace steady and slow. Call is a sharp, squeaky iik like
sneakers on a gym floor. Flight call a soft, wheezy wheek; thrushlike, with
airy quality (unlike husky trumpet sound of the Baltimore Oriole).
Works Cited
Sibley, D. A. The Sibley Guide to Birds. New
York City: Chanticleer Press, Inc. (2000): 466-467.
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