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Rose-breasted Grosbeak Sounds

Overview
ID info
Life History
Maps
Sounds

© Benjamin Clock | Macaulay Library New Jersey, May 09, 2011

Song
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New York, May 23, 1992Recorded by Steven R. Pantle | Macaulay Library
Calls
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New York, May 29, 1997Recorded by Gregory Budney

Sounds provided by Macaulay Library.
Listen to more sounds of this species from the ML archive.

Songs

Both males and females sing a rich, sweetly whistled song. The pattern is similar to an American Robin’s song, composed of many notes that alternately rise and fall. Most people describe the grosbeak’s song as sweeter and more melodious than a robin’s. The song can last 6 seconds and consist of 20 notes or syllables. Rose-breasted Grosbeaks are one of few bird species reported to sing while sitting on the nest. The female sings when nest-building, incubating, and brooding. The male often sings quietly from the nest and loudly from other high perches.

Calls

Rose-breasted Grosbeaks give short, sharp, penetrating chink calls, sometimes likened to the sound of a sneaker on a gym floor. They also give harsh, repeated squawks when alarmed.

Compare with Similar Species

Click on an image to compare

Black-headed Grosbeak Female/immature is similar to Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Black-headed Grosbeak

Purple Finch Female/immature (Eastern) is similar to Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Species in This Family

Cardinals and Allies(Order: Passeriformes, Family:Cardinalidae)

Hepatic Tanager

Hepatic Tanager

Scarlet Tanager

Scarlet Tanager

Western Tanager

Western Tanager

Northern Cardinal

Northern Cardinal

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Black-headed Grosbeak

Black-headed Grosbeak

Painted Bunting

Painted Bunting

Browse Species in This Family

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Rose-breasted Grosbeak

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