Perch Supply
Cardinals and allies (Cardinalidae)

Blue Grosbeak

Passerina caerulea. Insects and seeds from brushy field edges.

Cardinals and allies (Cardinalidae)Blue GrosbeakPasserina caerulea
Scientific name
Passerina caerulea
Length
5.5–6.3 in
Weight
0.9–1.1 oz
Nest
Cup low in a shrub or vine tangle, often with paper or snakeskin woven in
Entrance hole
Does not use nest boxes
Clutch
3–5 eggs
Incubation
11–13 days
Broods
1–2 per season

Identification

  • Male deep blue with two rusty wing bars
  • Female warm cinnamon-brown
  • Very heavy silver-grey bill

Voice

A rich, rising and falling warble; a sharp metallic 'chink' call.

Diet and feeding

Insects and seeds from brushy field edges.

What do blue grosbeaks eat? · Best feeder for blue grosbeaks

Blue Grosbeaks by state and province

RegionStatusNesting
AlabamaSummer breederApril–August
ArizonaSummer breederApril–August
ArkansasSummer breederMay–August
CaliforniaSummer breederApril–August
DelawareSummer breederMay–August
FloridaSummer breederApril–August
GeorgiaSummer breederApril–August
IllinoisSummer breederMay–August
IndianaSummer breederMay–August
IowaSummer breederMay–August
KansasSummer breederMay–August
KentuckySummer breederMay–August
LouisianaSummer breederApril–August
MarylandSummer breederMay–August
MississippiSummer breederApril–August
MissouriSummer breederMay–August
NebraskaSummer breederMay–August
NevadaSummer breederMay–August
New JerseySummer breederMay–August
New MexicoSummer breederMay–August
North CarolinaSummer breederMay–August
North DakotaSummer breederJune–August
OhioSummer breederMay–August
OklahomaSummer breederMay–August
PennsylvaniaSummer breederMay–August
South CarolinaSummer breederApril–August
South DakotaSummer breederMay–August
TennesseeSummer breederMay–August
TexasSummer breederApril–August
VirginiaSummer breederMay–August
West VirginiaSummer breederMay–August

Frequently asked

What do blue grosbeaks eat?

Insects and seeds from brushy field edges. At feeders: black-oil sunflower, millet, cracked corn.

How big is a Blue Grosbeak?

5.5–6.3 in long and 0.9–1.1 oz.

Do blue grosbeaks use birdhouses?

No. Cup low in a shrub or vine tangle, often with paper or snakeskin woven in.

Sources

  1. Blue Grosbeak — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  2. Blue Grosbeak life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  3. Blue Grosbeak — Audubon Guide to North American Birds

Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.