Blue Grosbeak
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Cardinalidae
Genus: Passerina
Species: caerulea
**Audio Coming Soon**
Description
-
Length: 6.75"
-
Wing span: 9.75"
-
Weight: 0.95 oz (27 grams)
-
Medium sized songbird
-
Male is distinct with a deep blue body with two rufous colored wingbars
-
Large,heavy, silver-gray bill
-
White flash on wings in flight
-
Female Blue Grosbeaks are very drab brown color with faint rufous wingbars and/or very faint blue tail edges. Heavy dark colored bill.
-
Juveniles resembel adult females
Factoids:
- A beautiful blue bird with silvery bill and chestnut wingbars, the Blue Grosbeak is an uncommon bird of shrubby habitats across the southern United States
- The Blue Grosbeak formerly was placed in its own genus, Guiraca. Similarities with buntings in genetics, behavior, molts, and plumages led to its inclusion in the bunting genus Passerina. Genetic evidence indicates that the Lazuli Bunting is its closest relative
- In the southern part of its breeding range, the Blue Grosbeak commonly raises two broods per year
- The large bill can handle almost anything from large seeds, including corn, to insects such as mantids and grasshoppers
About the Photos: (click on link to see this information)
All photographs and audio clips are ©Jamie Mullin 2008
Sources: Cornell Lab of Ornithology & The Sibley Guide to Birds.
 |
|---|
 |
 |
 |