Migration Research Foundation - McGill Bird Observatory - Photo Library

McGILL BIRD OBSERVATORY

PHOTO LIBRARY

Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus)

Seasonal status at MBO:

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

common

fairly common

uncommon

rare

occasional

no records

QUICK TIPS:

1) Look at the white marks on the primaries below the primary coverts - on HY/SY females they are absent or at most 2 mm long, on AHY/ASY females they are absent or up to 4 mm long, on HY/SY males they are 4-14 mm long, and on AHY/ASY males they are 14-24 mm long

2) Look at the underwing coverts - males are pinkish, while females are yellowish

3) Look for moult limits among the greater coverts - HY/SY birds often show a contrast between pale brown outer coverts and darker brown inner coverts, while on AHY/ASY birds the greater coverts are uniform

4) Check the wing chord - it ranges from 90 to 110 mm, with HY/SY birds generally much smaller than AHY/ASY birds

Ageing and sexing guidelines:

January - July:

ASY - M Easily recognizable by the solid black head, and lack of any brown feathers on the wing and tail.
ASY - F Head and back brown, wing uniform in colour with dark, fresh primary coverts.
SY - M Generally blackish upperparts, but with extensive brown on the wings and tail.
SY - F Head and back brown, wing showing contrast between new and old feathers, especially among the primary coverts.

June - December:

AHY - M Head and back black, with variable amounts of brown. Wings uniformly black, with extensive white patches at base of primary coverts.
AHY - F Head and back brown, wings uniformly brown, with small white patches at base of primary coverts.
HY - M Head and back dark brown, with patches of black later in the year. Wings largely brown, with moderate white patches at base of primary coverts.
HY - F Head and back brown. Wings brown, with contrast between new and old feathers later in the year, minimal white at base of primary coverts.

Ageing and sexing details:

after-second-year male

ASY males have a solid black head and back, unlike any other age/sex of Rose-breasted Grosbeak.

Photo by Marcel Gahbauer, McGill Bird Observatory, May 2005

ASY Rose-breasted Grosbeaks have distinctive wings, entirely black and white, lacking the brown present in all other ages/sexes. Also a good identification tool are the extensive white patches on the primaries, extending far beyond the primary coverts. The underwing features a distinct patch of pink feathers.

Photo by Marcel Gahbauer, McGill Bird Observatory, May 2006

RETURN TO AGE/SEX OVERVIEW

after-second-year female

Female Rose-breasted Grosbeaks are brown and streaked, with conspicuous pale stripes over the eyes and on the crown. To determine age it is necessary to look at the wings and/or tail.

Photo by Marcel Gahbauer, McGill Bird Observatory, May 2006

After-hatch-year females have a uniformly brown tail, with relatively broad and rounded rectrices.

Photo by Marcel Gahbauer, McGill Bird Observatory, May 2006

RETURN TO AGE/SEX OVERVIEW

second-year male

SY male Rose-breasted Grosbeaks have a mottled mix of brown and black feathers on the back and wings, and a rose-coloured triangle on the upper breast.

Photo by Marie-Anne Hudson, McGill Bird Observatory, May 2006

Photo by Marcel Gahbauer, McGill Bird Observatory, May 2005

It is easy to recgonize SY males by their wing. Primaries and primary coverts are brown, as are most or all secondaries, but the greater coverts and tertials are black.

Photo by Marcel Gahbauer, McGill Bird Observatory, May 2005

The tail of SY males may be all black, or a mix of black and brown feathers.

Photo by Marcel Gahbauer, McGill Bird Observatory, May 2005

RETURN TO AGE/SEX OVERVIEW

second-year female

Photo by Marcel Gahbauer, McGill Bird Observatory, May 2005

Second-year females often show a moult limit among the greater coverts, and the underwing patch is uniformly yellow.

Photo by Marcel Gahbauer, McGill Bird Observatory, May 2005

Second-year females have a uniformly brown tail with relatively narrow and pointed rectrices, often very worn by spring.

Photo by Marie-Anne Hudson, McGill Bird Observatory, May 2006

RETURN TO AGE/SEX OVERVIEW

after-hatch-year male

RETURN TO AGE/SEX OVERVIEW

after-hatch-year female

Photo by Marie-Anne Hudson, McGill Bird Observatory, August 2007

RETURN TO AGE/SEX OVERVIEW

hatch-year male

HY birds of both sexes are streaked brown and white; the wing can be used to determine sex, and both the wing and tail are helpful in determining age. HY males may also have a few rose-tinged feathers on the upper breast, variable in extent among individuals.

Photo by Marie-Anne Hudson, McGill Bird Observatory, August 2007

Photo by Marcel Gahbauer, McGill Bird Observatory, August 2005

The upper wing of an HY male is recognizable by the dark brown of the feathers and the relatively large white patches extending along the primaries beyond the primary coverts. On the underwing there is a distinct rose patch, as shown in the third photo below.

Photo by Marcel Gahbauer, McGill Bird Observatory, August 2005

Photo by Marie-Anne Hudson, McGill Bird Observatory, August 2007

Photo by Marcel Gahbauer, McGill Bird Observatory, August 2005

HY birds have narrow and tapered rectrices.

Photo by Marcel Gahbauer, McGill Bird Observatory, August 2005

Photo by Marie-Anne Hudson, McGill Bird Observatory, August 2007

RETURN TO AGE/SEX OVERVIEW

hatch-year female

HY birds of both sexes are streaked brown and white; the wing can be used to determine sex, and both the wing and tail are helpful in determining age.

Photos by Marcel Gahbauer, McGill Bird Observatory, August 2005

The upper wing of an HY female is recognizable by the dark brown of the feathers and the minimal white patches extending along the primaries beyond the primary coverts. On the underwing there is a distinct yellow patch, as shown in the second photo below.

Photo by Marcel Gahbauer, McGill Bird Observatory, August 2005

HY birds have narrow and tapered rectrices.

Photo by Marcel Gahbauer, McGill Bird Observatory, August 2005

RETURN TO AGE/SEX OVERVIEW