New Bird

[The Grebe]

We had a new bird at our feeder today. First time we have ever seen one like it, ever! Don't honestly know what it was, just guessing, I know that someone on this sight will know right off the bat what we seen.

Here is what it looked like. It's size was between a sparrow and a robin, probably about the size of an oriole. It had a darkish black/back and wings, with intersperced white when he opened them. It had a white breast with a splotch of rose color just under the head. I've seen pictures of this bird before, but I can't remember what it's called? While I was puttin the sneak on the different bird a vivid oriole flew in.

Ureka! I guessed right! The bird was a grossbeak!

[Steve Foss]

Male rose-breasted grosbeak is what it sounds like to me.

[The Grebe]

Thanks for the reply. Thats exactly what it was....I came across a picture of it on this very thread after I made the post. In the 33 years we have lived in this house and all the birds that have come to the feeder, we have never had one of those? I thought that maybe due to weather changes, maybe the birds range shifted?

[Steve Foss]

RBGs have been nesting in and around the Twin Cities since before we named any cities down there. They like fairly mature forest environments, so you don't see them all over. Could just be that some of the trees that were smaller when you moved in 30 years ago are big enough to support nesting RBGs, or at least make them feel more comfortable.

Or it may be something else completely. Gorgeous birds in any case.

[The Grebe]

Yes they are and we were happy to have him in our yard, if only for a short stay.