Just Passing Through

Yet another spring migrant, the Rose-breasted Grosbeak.

This species has shown up every year since we've moved here.

And unlike the prior two migrant species, this one stays for a couple of weeks. So we get to enjoy its visits.

Sexually dimorphic, these four birds are all the same species. The gaudy males are quite a contrast with the more cryptic colored females.

Another difference from the others is that these birds show up in force. We've seen as many as eight  at one time in the yard this year.  Approaching trash bird numbers.

And all too soon they are gone. Off to their breeding territory, which begins just a little bit north of us. Which may explain why they linger here. 

It would be cool it a pair decided to stay and make our yard their nesting grounds.