Two years ago I was astounded when I looked outside my window and identified the first Rose-breasted Grosbeak to visit our bird feeder. It was early spring and I was enjoying the number of birds migrating through north eastern Illinois. I felt like it was a major triumph to attract a new bird, and one that was so beautiful. The male was the first to show up to our feeder and a female shortly followed.

Fittingly, Rosebreast is the name given to this bird in “The Burgess Bird Book for Children,” by Thornton W. Burgess, and it is the male that proudly bears the rose, think red rose, breast, along with a sharp black back and white belly. The female is camouflaged with brown, yellow, and white markings that certainly mimic the males. They are easily differentiated from other female birds by their larger grosbeak beaks and a white streak above their eyes that stretches the length of their head starting at their beak.

The pair, that even now returns to our feeder with each migration north and south, was attracted by the sunflower seeds, safflower seeds and raw peanuts (All About Birds). Illinois finds itself in the southern region of their breeding area, which can stretch all the way to western Canada.

Peter Rabbit mistakes Rosebreast’s call for his friend Welcome Robin’s, which is fitting as All About Birds shares as well that they have a “sweet, robin-like song (source).” However Jenny Wren implores Peter to understand that it is far superior to the song of a robin. Here is a recording for you to hear for yourself: American Bird Conservatory on Youtube.

Here is our gleaning from Rosebreast:

Find more of the Burgess Birds in Detail and my Burgess Bird Pages. Where to find an Audible edition to make homeschooling easier: Burgess Bird Book audio

Until next time, keep on birding! <3 Kate

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