Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Rose-breasted Grosbeaks are stocky, medium-sized songbirds with very large triangular shaped beaks. They are broad-chested  with short necks and a medium length squared off tail. The male is black and white with a brilliant red chevron extending from its neck tapering down the chest. The female is brown and heavily streaked with a bold white stripe over the eyes. Both sexes show white patches on the wings and tail.

As they breed in eastern forests either in conifer or deciduous trees, they may be seen primarily during migration at feeders in backyards. They eat seeds, insects and fruit. At feeders they especially like sunflower seeds.

Listen for their distinctive voices. They sound like American Robins, but listen for an extra sweetness, as if the bird had operatic training; they also make a sharp chink like the squeak of a sneaker.