Common Nesting Birds

meet your neighbors

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Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus)

Photo © Guy Lichter

Rose-breasted Grosbeak nest

Photo © René Corado

Rose-breasted Grosbeak eggs

Photo © René Corado

Adult male

Photo © Tom Snow / Macaulay Library

Female

Photo © James Kinderman / Macaulay Library

Immature male

Photo © Jay McGowan / Macaulay Library

Adult male

Photo © Tim Lenz / Macaulay Library

Female

Photo © Deborah Bifulco / Macaulay Library

Adult male

Photo © Tim Lenz / Macaulay Library

Female

Photo © Yves Darveau / Macaulay Library

Adult male

Photo © Karl Bardon / Macaulay Library

Adult male

Photo © Austin Loewen / Macaulay Library

Song

© Jay McGowan / Macaulay Library

Song

© Wil Hershberger / Macaulay Library

Song

© Darrell Peterson / Macaulay Library

Calls

© Jay McGowan / Macaulay Library

Calls

© Jay McGowan / Macaulay Library

Calls

© Brad Walker / Macaulay Library

Calls

© Dolly Minis / Macaulay Library

Calls

© Jay McGowan / Macaulay Library

Flight calls

© Brad Walker / Macaulay Library

Flight calls

© Michael O'Brien

When To Look

Source: Birds of the World

Where To Find It

Source: Birds of the World

Habitats

forest

open woodland

shrub

Substrates

Live Tree Branch

Bush or Shrub

Vine or Tangle

What You'll Find

Nest Type

cup

Chick

Altricial

Clutch Size

3
4
5

Nest Height

20 ft
4 ft

Nesting Statistics

Incubation Period

11-14
days

Brooding Period

9,12
days

Useful Hints

  • The nest of the Rose-breasted Grosbeak is so thinly constructed that eggs often can be seen from below through the nest.
  • The male Rose-breasted Grosbeak participates in incubation of the eggs.
  • Both sexes sing quietly to each other when they exchange places. The male will sing his normal song while near or actually on the nest.

More Resources

Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Cornell Lab of Ornithology