Perch Supply
Cardinals and allies (Cardinalidae)

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Pheucticus ludovicianus. Insects, seeds and fruit.

Cardinals and allies (Cardinalidae)Rose-breasted GrosbeakPheucticus ludovicianus
Scientific name
Pheucticus ludovicianus
Length
7.1–8.3 in
Weight
1.2–1.7 oz
Nest
Flimsy twig cup in deciduous trees 5–15 ft up
Entrance hole
Does not use nest boxes
Clutch
1–5 eggs
Incubation
11–14 days
Broods
1–2 per season

Identification

  • Male black and white with a rose-red chest triangle
  • Female streaky brown with a bold white eyebrow
  • Huge pale bill

Voice

Sweet robin-like song; squeaky-sneaker 'eek' call.

Diet and feeding

Insects, seeds and fruit.

What do rose-breasted grosbeaks eat? · Best feeder for rose-breasted grosbeaks

Rose-breasted Grosbeaks by state and province

RegionStatusNesting
AlbertaSummer breederJune–July
British ColumbiaSummer breederJune–July
ConnecticutSummer breederMay–July
IllinoisSummer breederMay–July
IndianaSummer breederMay–July
IowaSummer breederMay–July
KansasSummer breederMay–July
KentuckySummer breederMay–July
MaineSummer breederJune–July
ManitobaSummer breederJune–July
MarylandSummer breederMay–July
MassachusettsSummer breederMay–July
MichiganSummer breederMay–July
MinnesotaSummer breederJune–July
MissouriSummer breederMay–July
NebraskaSummer breederMay–July
New BrunswickSummer breederJune–July
New HampshireSummer breederJune–July
New JerseySummer breederMay–July
New YorkSummer breederMay–July
Newfoundland and LabradorSummer breederJune–July
North CarolinaSummer breederMay–July
North DakotaSummer breederJune–July
Northwest TerritoriesSummer breederJune–July
Nova ScotiaSummer breederJune–July
OhioSummer breederMay–July
OntarioSummer breederJune–July
PennsylvaniaSummer breederMay–July
Prince Edward IslandSummer breederJune–July
QuebecSummer breederJune–July
Rhode IslandSummer breederMay–July
SaskatchewanSummer breederJune–July
South DakotaSummer breederMay–July
TennesseeSummer breederMay–July
VermontSummer breederJune–July
VirginiaSummer breederMay–July
West VirginiaSummer breederMay–July
WisconsinSummer breederJune–July

Frequently asked

What do rose-breasted grosbeaks eat?

Insects, seeds and fruit. At feeders: black-oil sunflower, safflower.

How big is a Rose-breasted Grosbeak?

7.1–8.3 in long and 1.2–1.7 oz.

Do rose-breasted grosbeaks use birdhouses?

No. Flimsy twig cup in deciduous trees 5–15 ft up.

Sources

  1. Rose-breasted Grosbeak — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  2. Rose-breasted Grosbeak life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  3. Rose-breasted 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.