About the Blue Grosbeak
The blue grosbeak is a medium-sized North American passerine bird in the cardinal family Cardinalidae. It is mainly migratory, wintering in Central America and breeding in northern Mexico and the southern United States. The male is blue with two brown wing bars. The female is mainly brown with scattered blue feathers on the upperparts and two brown wing bars.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The male blue grosbeak is deep blue, with both black and brown on its wings. The female is mostly brown. Both sexes are distinguished by their large, deep bill and double wing bars. These features, as well as the grosbeak's relatively larger size, distinguish this species from the indigo bunting. Length can range from 14 to 19 cm (5.5 to 7.5 in) and wingspan is from 26 to 29 cm (10 to 11 in). Body mass is typically from 26 to 31.5 g (0.92 to 1.11 oz).
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
What the Blue Grosbeak sounds like
Where the Blue Grosbeak lives
When to see the Blue Grosbeak
Peak activity in May · a summer visitor species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Lazuli BuntingPasserina amoenaMeasurements:
Length: 5.1–5.9 in (13–15 cm)
Weight: 0.5–0.6 oz (13–18 g)
Wingspan: 8.7 in (22 cm)
The male is easily recognized by its bright blue head and back (lighter than the closely related indigo bunting), its conspicuous white wingbars, and its light rusty breast and white belly.
Painted BuntingPasserina cirisThe male painted bunting is often described as the most beautiful bird in North America and as such has been nicknamed nonpareil, or "without equal".
Varied BuntingPasserina versicolorThe varied bunting is a species of songbird in the cardinal family, Cardinalidae.
Side by side: Blue Grosbeak vs Indigo Bunting · Blue Grosbeak vs Lazuli Bunting · Blue Grosbeak vs Painted Bunting
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