Blue Grosbeaks Seen on the Sanctuary!

A potential nesting pair of Blue Grosbeaks (Passerina caerulea) have been noted on Sanctuary property.

A rarity seen so far north, the blue grosbeak can be distinguished from the more common indigo bunting by its larger, thicker bill. The males also appear more cobalt blue than indigo buntings and have rusty wingbars. Females are cinnamon colored, with the same large beak and stocky build as the male. The song of a blue grosbeak is like that of a house finch, if that house finch was singing while experiencing the effects of five cups of coffee (rapid, incessant, and all over the place). While not usually a guaranteed find along the Kittatinny, these songbirds enjoy tangled vine and shrub habitats in areas of few trees and light canopy cover, and relatively low foliage density.

Photo by Bill Moses.