A Blue Grosbeak and What?

by Bettie Watts
(Water Valley, MS )

This blue grosbeak appeared in our backyard a few weeks ago. Several days after he arrived,the blue bird in the inset photo arrived along with some buddies. At first I thought they were the same species,but upon studying them a few days I don't believe they are.
My reasoning:
1. The brightness of the color of the photo in the inset,
2. The inset bird is much smaller than the grosbeak,
3 The shape of the heads is different, and the wing markings aren't quite the same nor are the bills the same though similar.

I discarded the idea that the smaller bird is a female of the blue grosbeak species because the female of that species is brown... I would appreciate your help.
Thanks,
Bettie Watts


Comment

What a wonderful birder's backyard you have!

The other bird is an Indigo Bunting. Although his wife looks like a small sparrow, with only a faint streak of blue in her wings, Mr Indigo Bunting is the only small bird who wears a suit of deep, rich blue.

He loves to sing, and in August when most birds are molting and moping, he has the stage almost all to himself.