Not Just Another Bluebird
The blue grosbeak’s claim to fame is that it is often termed this region’s “other bluebird.”
If you’re not an experienced birder, you may mistake these seasonal visitors to the Ozarks for eastern bluebirds or indigo buntings at first glance because the males of all three species are bright blue in color. However, further examination (if possible) will show the blue grosbeak has several distinct and easily identifiable characteristics that distinguish it from these other two species.
Biologists feel blue grosbeaks are holding steady or increasing in numbers throughout much of their range. Surveys show blue grosbeaks are still somewhat sparse in Missouri, but the number of sightings has increased in recent decades. In Missouri, the bird is sighted most frequently here in the southern part of the state.
The first scientific description of the blue grosbeak was written by the famed naturalist Carl Linnaeus in 1758.
Blue grosbeaks belong to the bird family Cardinalidae. This family of more than 42 New World species primarily consists of thick-billed birds that prefer seeds and nuts.
The birds, whcih are between six and seven inches, with a wingspan of 11 inches, weigh approximately an ounce.
They eat seeds, nuts and insects.
Distinguishing characteristics: As with most birds, it’s the male that has the most distinctive features in terms of color and markings. Males are deep blue with two brownish bars on its wings. Blue grosbeaks also have dark masking around their eyes. Blue grosbeaks also have blackish tails. Their song is something of a continuous musical warble.
Blue grosbeaks have a preference for forest edges, riparian areas, hedge rows, power-line cuts and other areas with medium-sized trees and low shrubs.
Blue grosbeaks are in this region from mid-spring to fall. Courtship and mating occurs in the spring and early summer. Nests are usually placed in small trees, shrubs or tangles of vines, briars or other types of brushy vegetation. Four eggs are laid. Eggs hatch in 11-12 days and young fledge in nine to 10 days. After spending their summers in a range that covers much of the U.S. (including all of Missouri), blue grosbeaks migrate to their winter range in Mexico and Central America.