Pheucticus ludovicianus
May 23, 1993: Pleasant Valley, Osceola, IN
Spotted one early in the morning, after spending the night on the couch so the birdsong would wake me in the morning. My first reaction was that this bird was wounded and bleeding. It was a pleasant surprise to look in my Peterson’s and discover that he is supposed to look this way. Gorgeous! I always enjoy seeing this beautiful bird, although it took me a while to learn to recognize the female as a grosbeak, instead of searching the book for really large sparrows!
May 2, 1995: Baugo Creek, St. Joseph County, IN
What a gorgeous bird!
May 7, 1995: Baugo Creek, St. Joseph County, IN
Kevin loves these birds, and so do I. It is always a pleasure to see one, especially that beautiful male!
May 13, 1995: Baugo Creek, St. Joseph County, IN
July 9, 1997: Potato Creek State Park, St. Joseph County, IN
I heard these birds first, suspecting that I was hearing grosbeaks, and sure enough I spotted the female. A moment later the male appeared, and I got a wonderful look at both of them. A few minutes later, I saw another pair at the feeding station at the nature center.
July 12, 1997: Baugo Creek, St. Joseph County, IN
July 15, 1997: Warren Dunes State Park, Berrien County, MI
August 4, 1997: Baugo Creek, St. Joseph County, IN
On my way out of the park, I spotted a female in a bush along the creek. Surely the male was nearby, but I was unable to spot him.
April 20, 1998: Deer Run Court, Johnston County, NC
This bird showed up in the afternoon, perched for several minutes on one of the feeder poles. I went through a lot of trouble trying to decide if this was a female red-breasted or black-headed, and actually didn’t make that decision for several days. Fortunately, she hung around while I tried to figure it out (and I finally spotted her with a male RB, clinching the deal)!
May 4, 1998: Deer Run Court, Johnston County, NC
A gorgeous male was at the tray feeder this afternoon, but he flew away as soon as I walked into the sunroom. I also spotted the female, possibly the same bird I’d seen a week ago, but the two left pretty quickly and didn’t return later in the day.
May 7, 1998: Deer Run Court, Johnston County, NC
Saw these and heard one singing.
May 8, 1998: Deer Run Court, Johnston County, NC
Still hanging around
July 3, 1998: Shenandoah National Park Lewis Mountain, VA
July 4, 1998: Shenandoah National Park Lewis Mountain, VA
Saw several of these birds throughout the park. They were abundant, and a welcome sight, as these only usually visit our yard during migration. It was nice to see them in their home environment.
July 5, 1998: Shenandoah National Park Lewis Mountain, VA
Let me know what you think!