The Rose-breasted Grosbeak is a common summer resident across much of eastern North America, including southeastern and central Canada. They typically inhabit deciduous and mixed forests, frequently found near forest edges and clearings.
Their Primary Diet
Rose-breasted Grosbeaks consume a diverse diet of both plant and animal matter. During their breeding season, insects form a significant portion of their intake, sometimes comprising about half of their annual diet. They commonly feed on beetles, caterpillars, grasshoppers, true bugs, ants, sawflies, moths, and potato beetles.
Beyond insects, these birds are granivores and frugivores, consuming a variety of seeds and fruits. Sunflower seeds, particularly black oil sunflower seeds, are a favored food source, along with safflower seeds. Their strong, conical beaks are well-suited for cracking open hard shells. They also eat seeds from trees like elms, and weed seeds such as smartweed, pigweed, and foxtail.
Fruits supplement their diet, especially during late summer and fall. They consume berries such as blackberries, raspberries, and mulberries. Cherries, elderberries, and cultivated fruits like garden peas and oats are also part of their diet when available. They also consume tree buds, flowers, and tree sap.
Seasonal Shifts in Eating Habits
The dietary composition of Rose-breasted Grosbeaks shifts with the changing seasons. In spring and early summer, particularly during nesting, their diet is heavily skewed towards insects. This high protein intake is important for adults to sustain themselves and for the rapid growth of their nestlings, which are fed mostly insects.
As summer progresses into fall, and insect populations decline, their diet transitions to include more fruits and seeds. This change provides the energy reserves necessary for their long migratory journeys to Central and South America. Berries become especially important, offering readily available carbohydrates.
While they do not typically overwinter in North America, their diet on wintering grounds remains varied, encompassing both plant material and invertebrates. Seeds remain a consistent food source throughout the non-breeding season, supplemented by available fruits and blossoms.
Foraging Behavior
Rose-breasted Grosbeaks employ several strategies to acquire food. They are primarily foliage gleaners, searching for food among the leaves and branches of shrubs and trees, picking insects directly from foliage.
They may also probe into crevices and under bark for hidden insects. They engage in aerial pursuits, catching flying insects. Their robust beaks are adept at cracking open tough seed shells.
These birds forage in the mid-canopy to lower branches of deciduous trees and shrubs. They are commonly found along forest edges, in open woodlands, and suburban gardens. Though they usually keep to the treetops, they are sometimes observed foraging on the ground.
Providing Food in Your Yard
Attracting Rose-breasted Grosbeaks to a backyard requires offering food sources that align with their natural diet. Tray feeders, large hopper feeders, or tube feeders with ample perches are suitable options for these birds. Placing these feeders in a sheltered location, near trees or shrubs, can make them feel more secure.
Black oil sunflower seeds are a highly favored food and an excellent choice for attracting them. Safflower seeds are also readily accepted, providing another rich energy source. Suet, especially formulations with added fruit or berries, and even grape jelly in small quantities are also offered.
Beyond feeders, planting native berry-producing shrubs and trees can provide natural food sources. Species like elderberry, serviceberry, and various viburnums offer fruits that ripen during their migratory periods. Providing a consistent source of fresh water in a bird bath is also important, as they use it for both drinking and bathing.