Rose-breasted Grosbeaks in North Carolina
When rose-breasted grosbeaks are present in North Carolina, when they nest, which native North Carolina plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 5b–8b yard.
- Status in North Carolina
- Summer breeder
- Nesting window
- May–July
- Broods
- 1–2 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5b–8b
- Range note
- Mountains only.
When to expect rose-breasted grosbeaks in North Carolina
Rose-breasted Grosbeaks are summer residents in North Carolina, arriving shortly before nesting begins in May and leaving after the young are independent. Mountains only. Through the season they feed on beetles, caterpillars and bees.
Mountains, Piedmont and coastal plain differ sharply — cool, snowy highlands to mild, humid coast.
Nesting in North Carolina
Across North Carolina, rose-breasted grosbeaks typically nest from May–July. Nest site: flimsy twig cup in deciduous trees 5–15 ft up. Females lay 1–5 eggs, incubate for 11–14 days, and young leave the nest after 9–12 days.
Warm and humid in the Piedmont and coast; cooler at elevation.
- Rose-breasted Grosbeaks don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as flowering dogwood, winterberry, serviceberry for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.
Native North Carolina plants that attract rose-breasted grosbeaks
Of the regional native plants we track for North Carolina, these 8 provide food or cover rose-breasted grosbeaks use:
The state flower and a top fall fruit source.
Red fruit held into winter.
June fruit.
Winter food and cover.
Long nectar season.
Leave seed heads.
Fruit clusters persist all winter as emergency food.
Red fruit heads hang on through winter.
Feeding rose-breasted grosbeaks through the North Carolina year
A brief spring feeder visitor in the south; stays to nest in northern deciduous woods.
- Best foods: Black-oil sunflower, Safflower.
- In North Carolina's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.
Full diet breakdown for rose-breasted grosbeaks · Best feeder for rose-breasted grosbeaks
Frequently asked
Are rose-breasted grosbeaks in North Carolina year-round?
No. Rose-breasted Grosbeaks are summer breeders in North Carolina and leave for the winter. Mountains only.
When do rose-breasted grosbeaks nest in North Carolina?
Nesting in North Carolina typically runs May–July, with 1–2 per season. Clutches are 1–5 eggs, incubated for 11–14 days.
What native plants attract rose-breasted grosbeaks in North Carolina?
Flowering dogwood, Winterberry, Serviceberry, Eastern red cedar, Coral honeysuckle, Black-eyed Susan, Staghorn sumac, Smooth sumac are native plants in North Carolina that provide food or cover for rose-breasted grosbeaks.
Rose-breasted Grosbeaks in other regions
Other backyard birds in North Carolina
Sources
- Rose-breasted Grosbeak — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Rose-breasted Grosbeak life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Rose-breasted Grosbeak — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- eBird region overview and bar charts — North Carolina
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
- Audubon Native Plants Database
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.