Blue Grosbeak

Guiraca caerulea

The Blue Grosbeak is a denizen of thickets and brushy woodland edges.  It is distinguished from the similar Indigo Bunting by its larger size, larger and thicker bill, and rust-colored wing-bars.  Like many species, they have expanded their range to the north in recent decades.

Habitat: Prefers brushy low growth for breeding, preferably in semi-open country.  This can include fencelines, brushy fields, streamside thickets, hedgerows, and woodland edges.

Diet: The summer diet consists of many insects and spiders, as well as seeds and occasionally snails.  The winter diet consists of a greater proportion of seeds and waste grain, along with insects.

Nesting: June through August

Breeding Map: Breeding bird survey map

Song: Blue Grosbeak song

Migrations: Summers throughout much of the southern three-fourths of the U.S.  Winters in Mexico and points south.

Feeders: Various seeds and grains

Similar Species: Indigo Bunting, Lazuli Bunting.  See the Identification Tips page for differentiating between these species.

Status: Breeding populations have expanded northward recently.  There are also some indications that they've increased in numbers throughout much of their historical range.

Further Information: 1) Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Blue Grosbeak

2) Cornell University's "All About Birds - Blue Grosbeak"

3) eNature.com: Blue Grosbeak

Photo Information: June 18th, 2006 -- Minnehaha County -- Terry Sohl

Additional Photos: Click on the image chips or text links below for additional, higher-resolution Blue Grosbeak photos.

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Please mail any comments/suggestions/additional links for this page to: Terry L. Sohl

This page was last edited on 02/03/08