ExploreBirds

Blue Grosbeak

Passerina caerulea

The Blue Grosbeak is a beautiful bird with bright blue feathers and a strong beak. They love to sing and can often be found in fields and bushes, making their home in warm places.

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

The Blue Grosbeak has a stout, silvery-blue conical bill. Males are striking indigo blue with a small black mask and two rusty wing bars. Females are rich brown with buffy wing bars, appearing much plainer than the males.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderPasseriformesFamilyCardinalidaeGenusPasserina
Blue Grosbeak
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Blue Grosbeak

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Despite their bright color, males are not fully blue until they are about a year old.

Male Blue Grosbeaks get their brilliant blue color from feather structures, not blue pigment!

Some Blue Grosbeaks line their nests with shed snakeskins, possibly to scare away predators.

These birds often migrate at night, covering long distances under the cover of darkness.

Special abilities

Ability

Seed Crusher Beak

Blue Grosbeak has a powerful, conical bill that helps them crack open tough seeds for food.

Ability

Long-Distance Navigator

Blue Grosbeak can migrate thousands of kilometers because they use internal navigation to find their breeding and wintering grounds.

Ability

Hidden Nest Architect

Blue Grosbeak can weave sturdy, cup-shaped nests hidden deep in shrubs to protect their eggs and young.

Measurements & details

Length
14-17 cm
Wingspan
26-29 cm
Weight
0.026-0.031 kg
Lifespan
2-7 years
Top Speed
40 km/h
Clutch Size
3-5
Incubation
11-13 days
Migration Distance
2500 km

Diet & Feeding

These birds mostly eat insects and seeds, cracking tough seeds with their strong beaks.

Primary Foods

  • grasshoppers
  • crickets
  • caterpillars
  • beetles
  • ragweed seeds
  • smartweed seeds

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Enjoy watching birds from a distance and don't disturb their nests.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Blue Grosbeak?

14-17 cm

What is Blue Grosbeak's wingspan?

26-29 cm

How much does Blue Grosbeak weigh?

0.026-0.031 kg

How long does Blue Grosbeak live?

2-7 years

How fast can Blue Grosbeak move?

40 km/h

What does Blue Grosbeak eat?

These birds mostly eat insects and seeds, cracking tough seeds with their strong beaks.

Where is Blue Grosbeak usually found?

Grasslands

How does Blue Grosbeak hunt?

Foraging

Snap Map

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Where to spot

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