Rose-breasted Grosbeaks

by Jessica
(Lafayette, GA USA)

I live in Northwest Ga and sat up a bird feeding station at the end of this past winter. I noticed a different bird that had started visiting around the end of March. I assumed it was a female since she wasn't colorful, brown mostly with some sparrow type streaking on her head, but she was much bigger than my regular visitors and striking in her own way. After some research I determined she was a Rose-breasted Grosbeak. I was so excited that I had a new species coming and really hoped she would tell her boyfriend about the grub she had found. She visited daily and often for the next two weeks. She ate from the black oil sunflower seed gazebo style hopper that I have and also frequented the lantern shaped hopper that holds a mix seed that offers nuts, raisins, sunflower mix and some white milo. As far as mixed seed goes all of my feathered friends really seem to enjoy this company's blend which I can't remember the name of.
Anyway, I watched her often over the two weeks. Got some great pictures of her and noticed that she wasn't what I would call shy. She wouldn't fly off if I went out my front door and she would stay at the feeder feasting for some time seemingly unaware of the others around her. It just so happens that one morning I woke up and looked out my bedroom window. I noticed the red on the feeder first and when I saw that she (I call her Lulu), had finally brought her beau I was so excited I ran to grab my camera. Imagine my surprise when I realized there were two males one on each feeder. Apparently Lulu is quite the catch. They came every day, often all three at a time or at least the two boys. Unfortunately I haven't seen them in the last few days. I have a mockingbird family that has become even more protective of my feeders when the young are out and I saw one of the Mocking adults chase off a Grosbeak male the other day. I hope they return soon.. and that these Mocking babies get off to their own lives soon. :)
So that's my Grosbeak story.