IBRC #30-B-10

IDAHO BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE
RARE BIRD REPORT FORM

SPECIES: Rose-breasted Grosbeak
HOW MANY: 1 male

REPORTER: Wallace Keck, Superintendent City of Rocks National Reserve PO Box 169 Almo, ID 83312
REPORTER EMAIL: Wallace_Keck@partner.nps.gov
OTHER OBSERVERS: Juanita Jones Stephen King Lindsay Smith (all same address as above)

DATE REPORT PREPARED: June 2, 2010
DATE SIGHTING OCCURRED: May 31 - June 1
LOCALITY OF OBSERVATION: City of Rocks National Reserve Visitor Center in Almo, Cassia County
HABITAT: birdfeeder
CONDITIONS: bird was regularly observed on May 31 and June 1 at the feeder next to the building along with Black-headed Grosbeaks, Pine Siskins and Cassin's Finches.

DID YOU TAKE NOTES?: Yes, during the observation
DID YOU CONSULT FIELD GUIDE OR OTHER REFERENCES?: Yes, later the same day
WHAT GUIDE(S) OR REFERENCE(S) DID YOU CONSULT?: Checked several field guides for range maps: National Geographic Field Guide, Petersen's, Sibley's, Audubon, Stokes, and Kaufman. The bird is easily identified, so consultation was simply in reference to range records.

DESCRIPTION: Cardinalidae The rose-colored breast and otherwise black and white body, and thick bill is diagnostic. Photos taken are indisputable.
BEHAVIOR: feeding with other seeding species such as Black-headed Grosbeak, Cassin's Finch and Pine Siskins.

HOW AND WHEN DID YOU POSITIVELY IDENTIFY THE BIRD, AND WHAT CLINCHED THE IDENTIFICATION FOR YOU? The bird is unmistakeable in field marks, especially when viewing and photographing the bird at a feeder just a few feet away through glass. I have seen this bird many times in Missouri and Arkansas, and I have been a professional birder (i.e. expert in identification of almost all North American Birds since 1986)
HOW DID YOU ELIMINATE SIMILAR SPECIES, AND WHAT WERE THEY? Only the Black-headed Grosbeak is similar in appearance (body size and shape) but is clearly different in color - lacking the rose-breast.

EXPERIENCE WITH THIS SPECIES (AND SIMILAR SPECIES): I am very familiar with Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, as I have viewed them in the eastern US during my college training and work experience with the Forest Service and State Parks. Avid professional birder since 1986. I have published many checklists for parks throughout the country.
GENERAL BIRDING EXPERIENCE: Birding since 1986 in all parts of the US, and also northern Mexico and Southern Canada. I have a life list of 440 and can identify most birds by ear.

WERE PHOTO(S), VIDEO, AND/OR AUDIO OBTAINED BY YOU?: Photo

These photos were taken by Wallace Keck at time of sighting.  They were cropped and resized but no other edits were performed.  To view original file click any photo.

This last photo is the same as the top photo but it was lightened to show details of plumage for possible aging.