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Rose-breasted Groesbeak

(Pheucticus ludovicianus)

Photo: Ron Austing

Size             : 8 inches long(20cm)

Description      : Male   - Black on top, white underneath, with a beautiful large, rose-colored
                            patch on breast and under the wings; wings have white accents on tips
                   Female - Heavily streaked brown on white all over, with a white eyebrow

Preferred Habitat: Edges of moist woods, suburbs

Preferred food   : Seeds, fruit, grains, insects; will come to feeder for sunflower and safflower seeds

Breeding Range   : Southern Canada to central United States, as far as northern Georgia

Winter Range     : Mexico to northern South America

Interesting Facts:-  Beneficial to farmers, as it consumes potato beetles and larvae, as well weed seeds, 
                     wild fruit and buds.
                  -  Both male and female sing, sometimes even when on the nest
                     Song is like that of the robin, but softer and more melodious;
                     female sings a shorter version of male's song
                  -  Call is a sharp, metallic, 'clink'
                  -  Males fight during courtship; they sing and hover in the air around the female
                  -  Nest is saucer-shaped,loosely made of twigs, weeds and grasses, lined with finer material
                  -  Preferred nesting site is in fork of a deciduous tree, 5 - 15 feet above ground
                  -  Clutch size is usually 4; incubation period: 12-14 days; nestling, 9-12 days; broods 1-2 per season