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Blue Grosbeak

Passerina caerulea ORDER: PASSERIFORMES FAMILY: CARDINALIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

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Blue Grosbeak Photo

© 2004 Cornell Lab of Ornithology

A beautiful blue bird with silvery bill and chestnut wingbars, the Blue Grosbeak is an uncommon bird of shrubby habitats across the southern United States.

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Appearance

Finchlike
Finchlike
Typical Voice

Adult Description

  • Medium-sized songbird.
  • Large silver-gray bill.
  • Male deep blue with two brown wingbars.
  • Female mostly brown with two brown wingbars.

Male Description

Black in front of eyes extending down to bill. Flight feathers dark brown to black, with blue edging. Breeding (Alternate) Plumage: Blue all over, with brown wingbars. Nonbreeding (Basic) Plumage: Body blue with brownish feather edges.

Female Description

Brown all over, with some blue feathers on back. Flight feathers dark brown to black, with brown edging.

Immature Description

First-year female resembles adult female, with even less blue on the upperparts. First-year male, through the first full summer of life, shows plumage intermediate between that of adult female and adult male, with variable amounts of blue mixed with brown.

Range Map Help

Blue Grosbeak Range Map
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Field MarksHelp

  • Adult male
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    Adult male
    • © 2004 Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Chambers County, Texas, April 2000
  • Adult female
    PopOutZoom In
    Adult female
    • © 2004 Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Chambers County, Texas, April 2000

Similar Species

  • Eastern Bluebird has reddish chest and white belly.
  • Indigo Bunting is similar in all plumages, but is much smaller, has a smaller bill, with wingbars less distinct or lacking.
  • Immature Lazuli Bunting is similar, but is smaller, paler, and has a smaller bill.
  • Female and juvenile Brown-headed Cowbird lack wingbars and may be streaked on breast.