Attracting Migrating Rose-breasted Grosbeaks (4K)

Attracting and feeding immature male and female Rose-breasted Grosbeaks on fall migratory route south. Description of effective feeds and feeder arrangements. 4K Video prepared October 8, 2016 in Auburn, Alabama

[@TheWorldOfThoseWhoDoNotSpeak]

Beautiful and informative video! I really enjoyed it. I like watching the Black-headed Grosbeaks that visit our feeders and birdbath.

[@Lejun40]

Unfortunately, I have had only one opportunity to observe a Black-headed Grosbeak in Western Texas but was unable to get a photo of it. I assume you live in one of the western states since this species is typically not found east of New Mexico, West Texas, Colorado, etc. We have only migratory Rose-breasted Grosbeaks in Alabama. If interested, here is a link to my still-photo gallery of grosbeaks: pbase.com/lejun/georgeous_grosbeaks Thanks for your comments!

[@TheWorldOfThoseWhoDoNotSpeak]

@@Lejun40 Hi, Thank you for your response! Sadly, the Grosbeaks will soon leave San Diego County. Thank you for sending me the link, I really appreciate it!

[@autumnwhispers2me]

I've seen an adult male and a juvenile at our feeders.. They're beautiful, and what a great song.

[@Lejun40]

Hi Ella: So glad you have seen the male and a juvenile at your feeders. They are indeed beautiful. The females, although not as brilliant in color, are also beautiful with their mottled brown feathers and white patches.

[@richardbarlow4676]

@@Lejun40 u r not slick

[@revwayne6168]

Wonderful video! This morning at 11:10 a.m. we had the first Rose-breasted Grosbeak at our feeder. What a cool bird!

[@Lejun40]

Glad to hear the RB Grosbeaks have arrived in your area. They have just arrived in central Alabama as well. Thanks for your comments!

[@OTK_CONTENT_CLEARS]

Great video, I find that if I play a grosbeak song through my bluetooth speaker ( hidden under grass clippings etc ) they are very interesting in where the sound is coming from and I always have one that frequents my feeders.

[@Lejun40]

My experience is that Rose-breasted Grosbeaks do respond to their call played on a device with a speaker. I have actually called them to my feeders from my backyard woods using my iPad. Thanks for your comments.

[@vistaprime]

hi Jared does this work with Baltimore orioles?

[@terrynb1922]

@@Lejun40 May I ask you which recording you play? I have a female that has been on my bird feeder twice I would love to see a male!

[@Lejun40]

@@terrynb1922 Hi Terry and thanks for the question. I am not sure I understand your question. Are you asking if you can play a recording of a male Rose-breasted Grosbeak to attract him to your feeder? Thanks.

[@terrynb1922]

@@Lejun40 Yes. Also you said "if I play a recording..." I wondered if there was a specific recording I could download or find that would attract the male. She keeps coming alone so I believe she's not paired. I found one 30 minute long recording of a male to play, but it's a bit much! LOL!

[@AlexandraPeters70]

Beautiful ! Love these birds & everything about it.

[@Lejun40]

Thanks, Alexandra, for the comments. Glad to hear you love birds. They need all the support they can get!

[@hmark29]

Thanks so much! We now have these in our backyard and have never seen them. Really appreciate this education and thanks from Forsyth Georgia!

[@Lejun40]

Thanks so much for your comments. Rose-breasted Grosbeaks are among my favorite birds. As you have probably noticed, I live in Auburn, Alabama and we see them on their migratory route through our area for about two weeks in April and then again in October as they are migrating back south. I would imagine that their migratory schedule is about the same over in Georgia where you live.

[@Lejun40]

So pleased to hear you have these beautiful birds in your yard.

[@bjsmoker]

That’s amazing how close your video is! They look like they have eyelashes? Never saw eyelashes on a bird -is that correct what I’m seeing? Very nice!

[@Lejun40]

Thanks for the comments and question, Jeanne. Mammals have eyelashes but I am not aware that birds have them. Some bird species, however, have small modified feathers instead of hairs around their eyes which help protect the bird's eyes from dust and debris.

[@AshtonsGiantToyClub]

Just saw a female at one of our feeders this morning!! So exciting!! Your video is so beautiful.

[@Lejun40]

Thanks, Aston. Glad to hear you saw a female. Have you seen any males? I will be posting an additional video on some new Grosbeak footage I have just finished taking. They are such beautiful and gentle birds.

[@AshtonsGiantToyClub]

We live in Knoxville, TN and don’t see them very often, so when we do it’s such a treat. Haven’t seen any males yet but I hope to. Several years ago a flock of them ended up in our backyard due to a long winter and a lack of food/berries in the mountains. Looking forward to your new upcoming videos.

[@Lejun40]

Thanks, Ashton. I would imagine the males are working their way north by now so you should have a good chance to see them. The males typically move ahead of the females on their migratory route. Good birding!

[@AshtonsGiantToyClub]

Thank you!

[@JazziopeiaGirl]

I have an immature male at my suet feeder now, but I am in central NY. I am worried for him that he is here too late in the season. I hope he will find his way south soon. Thank you for this video. I will try to get a sunflower and safflower seed feeder up too, if it will help him.

[@Lejun40]

Thanks for your comment. I believe that in general, RBG's migrate south in late September or during the month of October. Thus, early November is probably not that unusual for the species to still be around in NY state. In general, the migratory timing of migratory birds is dictated by hard-wired instincts. An unusually cold or warm fall won't result in changing their departure dates. However, they might tweak their departure dates by days or possibly weeks if the season is colder or warmer than usual. Unless your bird is diseased or has some physical problem, I wouldn't worry about the bird. He will instinctively know when to leave. Has your winter been more temperate than normal?

[@JazziopeiaGirl]

@@Lejun40 Thank you for your reply! I haven't seen him today, so I hope he's on his way to the south. Other than he looked quite alone and pitiful, he didn't seem injured or sick. It was a very warm autumn up until Halloween, and our last winter was very mild. We haven't hit sub zero temperatures yet, but it's the first snowfall right now. It's suspected that this winter will be a cold one, so it does make me worried for the critters outside for this next season. We did have a female hummingbird stay around until the end of September, which was the longest I've ever seen them stay by about a couple weeks. So like you said, maybe they stayed a little longer due to the warm weather. It's fascinating how these little feathered folk know when to leave, and where to go, being so young.

[@Salmiyaguy1]

my grosbeaks have never eaten suet. they like sunflower seeds and grape jelly.

[@jameswaas2405]

I have a mature and immature male at my feeders.they like sunflower hearts.and a fruit and nut mix.

[@Lejun40]

James, glad to hear you have both mature and immature males at your feeders. No doubt they are headed south on their fall migratory route. What is your general location? Yes, the sunflower hearts and mixes are probably the best food you could feed them. Thanks for the comments.

[@jameswaas2405]

@@Lejun40 I live on long island ny.north shore.

[@Lejun40]

Thanks James. What a wonderful location view both spring and fall migrations of birds of all kinds.

[@ARod-br2ui]

Wow! I seen a male Saturday afternoon and been seeing some females for a few days now at my feeders.

[@Lejun40]

Thanks for your comments.