This brings rose-breasted grosbeaks into our backyards. They are frequent visitors at feeders, and they can be quite conspicuous at this time of year. Of course, we are discussing male grosbeaks here.

About 8 inches long, male rose-breasted grosbeaks are mostly black and white but also carry a large pink or rose colored heart-shaped pattern on their throat, under a black head.

Other than ruby-throated Hummingbirds, the one bird whose return in the spring is guaranteed to generate excitement is the rose-breasted grosbeak. Every spring, I get phone calls and emails from ...

The last time I wrote about rose-breasted grosbeaks was over 10 years ago. Back then, I was experiencing quite a bit of angst over my ability to identify their enchanting song, likened by many to ...

More: Nature Journal: Rose-breasted grosbeak is 1 feisty bird More: Nature Journal: The many vocal stylings of the catbird But don't be beguiled — they also have vile tempers when disturbed.

On April 27, a male rose-breasted grosbeak appeared on a feeder just outside my office window. About the size of a cardinal, but more barrel chested, it was in fresh breeding plumage — black head and ...

Rose-breasted grosbeaks become positively livid from the moment they hit the net until well after they're set free. They take the whole business personally, fighting back with every weapon at ...

It is the rose-breasted grosbeak, pleasing to both the eye and ear.” Rose-breasted grosbeaks breed in forests all across Canada and in the much of the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic states south ...

Rose-breasted grosbeaks that breed on the nearby wooded hillside constantly visited the sunflower feeders, and they’ll probably be around until late July or early August.

RELATED: The secret love life of birds RELATED: After 10 years, peregrines soar again Rose-breasted grosbeaks love a variety of foods. Everything from fruits to nuts and everything in between.

Rose-breasted are slightly smaller than a robin, 7½ inches long with a wingspan of 12-13 inches. It is a tree dweller but in migration may be seen in large numbers foraging on the ground for beetles.