Hi, I think it's an immature cowbird- which would explain the interspecies feeding :)
Robin LaFortune ----- Original Message ----- From: "Larry Sirvio" <lmsir...@comcast.net> To: "MOU" <mou-net at moumn.org> Sent: Saturday, July 28, 2007 9:56 PM Subject: [mou] Rose Breasted Grosbeak Inter-Species Feeding >I had an unusual visitor at the feeder and in the yard today. I finally >figured out it must be an imm. rose breasted grosbeak. Sibley didn't have >an illustrattion that matched so I posted 2 pics on the MOU website. >www.moumn.org > Go to the Galleries and select Photo Gallery - MN > There are several other rbgb photos already there. Mine will be the last > 2. I'm ready to be corrected if someone else can tell me what it is. > I've never seen a rose breasted grosbeak in my yard except for early > spring. > The really amazing thing was that this bird was begging for food from a > chipping sparrow. He had a routine. If the chipping sparrow showed up he > went to a branch in a tree and begged. The chipping sparrow fed him > several times. Each time the feeding would be in the tree - not at the > feeder. I have some photos of the two together - in somewhat poor light > but the size difference is very obvious. I've never heard of cross species > feeding before - any comments? > Larry Sirvio > Cottage Grove >