Activity around the place has really quieted down. I haven’t seen a Black-headed Grosbeak at the feeder in 2 days. So, I was surprised to see a Grosbeak just 30 min ago at the sunflower seed feeder. I’m hoping it returns, it fed for about 5 min & I got all the field markings: an immature male Rose-breasted Grosbeak. It had a bold, striped head with black wings & strong white patches in the wings. White rump but breast was heavily streaked with a rosy-red breast, with streaks through the red, whitish below the red and light brownish streaked flanks. On the Cornell website, there is a photo identified as an immature male that is almost the same as the one I saw. But, mine had more red in the breast than their photo, otherwise almost identical.

I’ll keep a watch and see if it reappears. It flew up into a cottonwood but could not relocate. I quickly refilled my feeders. I’ll post again if I see it, if it makes a regular appearance & if folks want to see it. Certainly, gives pause as to being immature. Also, makes the 2nd Rose-breasted as fall migration has started. Definitely, a different bird than the adult male previously reported.

Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot