Bird’s ID – Blue Grosbeak | H.J. Ruiz

The Blue Brosbeak (Passerina caerulea), is a medium-sized seed-eating bird in the same family as the northern cardinal, “tropical” or New World buntings, and “cardinal-grosbeaks” or New World grosbeaks.

The male blue grosbeak is almost entirely deep blue. 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).

This is a migratory bird, with nesting grounds across most of the southern half of the United States and much of northern Mexico, migrating south to Central America and in very small numbers to northern South America; the southernmost record comes from eastern Ecuador. It eats mostly insects, but it will also eat snails, spiders, seeds, grains, and wild fruits. The blue grosbeak forages on the ground and in shrubs and trees.

Photo Gallery

12 thoughts on “Bird’s ID – Blue Grosbeak”

Armann and Kaymann on March 13, 2019 at 7:22 am said:

Beautiful birds

Reply ↓
bayphotosbydonna on March 13, 2019 at 7:32 am said:

Beautiful bird, HJ! ❤ I’ve seen one but wasn’t fast enough to get a photo. Some day!

Reply ↓
- H.J. for avian101 on March 13, 2019 at 5:08 pm said:
  
  Thank you Donna. I hope you will see one soon. 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
tanjabrittonwriter on March 13, 2019 at 8:10 am said:

It is always exciting to see one of these jewels, and even better to capture a photograph of them. Your collection is lovely, H.J.

Reply ↓
- H.J. for avian101 on March 13, 2019 at 5:22 pm said:
  
  Thank you very much, Tanja. 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
Timelesslady on March 13, 2019 at 8:51 am said:

I had one last year and was astonished. It was a female, and at first glance I thought it was a bluebird. Thanks for the great photos…I relived the happy moment of spotting it as I viewed your post.

Reply ↓
- H.J. for avian101 on March 13, 2019 at 5:27 pm said:
  
  Thank you for sharing! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
aussiebirder on March 13, 2019 at 4:59 pm said:

Thanks again HJ for another interesting post on a bird we do not get to enjoy here. It is a beautiful blue like your beautiful mountain bluebird.😊

Reply ↓
- H.J. for avian101 on March 13, 2019 at 5:42 pm said:
  
  Thank you Ashley for your visit. 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
Clare Pooley on March 13, 2019 at 6:35 pm said:

Beautiful bird! Wonderful shots, HJ!

Reply ↓
- H.J. for avian101 on March 13, 2019 at 7:17 pm said:
  
  Thank you very much, Clare. I appreciate it. 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
  - Clare Pooley on March 13, 2019 at 7:29 pm said:
    
    🙂