Every summer we are blessed with a ton of rose-breasted grosbeaks at the feeder. The loud cracking of the white-striped sunflowers and safflower seeds announce their presence. Having had lovebirds and cockatiels for years, I’m always struck by how much they resemble parrots. Sure they aren’t predominantly green, but they have a massive beak, seem intelligent and sociable. Our kids enjoy naming the various individuals that come to the feeder. The females all blend together, but many of the males had distinctive features in their feathering that allowed you to tell them apart. There was Dashy, Spotty, Dotty, Racer, Feisty, Feistina just to name a few. Great fun. They always seem to leave in late August. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted!
Annelise
I am so very jealous that you get so many and they stay so long. I usually get one pair of grosbeaks and they don’t stick around very long, and they stay high in the trees mostly, so it’s hard to get pics.
Anyway, your a terrific artist!
Matt
For the Rose-breasted Grosbeaks here in Lansing, MI we get the best luck feeding white-striped sunflower seeds. They will eat other seeds, but greatly prefer the white-stripes. The habitat around your house probably is the most important factor. We have many large trees and have done loads of landscaping/gardening with the specific goal of attracting birds and other animals. Having a birdbath or two really attracts the birds almost as much as the various feeders.