Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Pheucticus ludovicianus

Audubon Illustration

John James Audubon, Birds of America (1827-1838). Public domain.

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About the Rose-breasted Grosbeak

The rose-breasted grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus), colloquially called "cut-throat" due to its coloration, is a large, seed-eating grosbeak in the cardinal family (Cardinalidae). It is primarily a foliage gleaner. Males have black heads, wings, backs, and tails, and a bright rose colored patch on their white breast. Males and females exhibit marked sexual dimorphism. Breeding habitat consists of cool-temperate open deciduous woods throughout much of eastern North America, with migration to tropical America in winter. Rose-breasted grosbeaks have an average maximum lifespan of 7.3 years in the wild, and up to 24 years in captivity. Death in the wild is generally due to collision with objects (buildings, cars, etc.) and predation, to eggs, nestlings and adults.

Source: Wikipedia

Classification

Scientific name: Pheucticus ludovicianus
Family: Cardinals and Allies
Order: Passeriformes

Similar species

Other members of the cardinals and allies family recorded in North America — a useful place to start if you are not certain of your identification.

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