First observation of cavity nesting by a female Blue Grosbeak.

Publication: Wilson Bulletin

Publication Date: 01-MAR-06

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The Blue Grosbeak (Passerina caerulea) is a large bunting in the family Cardinalidae and is relatively common in the southeastern United States. However, little is known of the breeding ecology of this species (Ingold 1993). The nest is typically cup-shaped and composed of twigs, rootlets, and bark, is often lined with grass and/or fine hair, and sometimes contains artificial debris, such as cardboard, cellophane, or newspaper (Stabler 1959, Bent 1968, Ingold 1993). Blue Grosbeaks commonly build their nests in riparian thickets, fallow fields, open woodlands, and hedgerows, usually from 1 to 4 m above the ground (Stabler 1959, Bent 1968, Ehrlich et al. 1988).

Here, we detail an observation of cavity nesting by a pair of Blue Grosbeaks. We discovered the nest during an ongoing study of Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis) in Craighead County, Arkansas. During the winter of 2002, we erected approximately 200 Eastern Bluebird nest boxes at 2 m above ground, with each box being at least 100 m from adjacent boxes. The site is composed mostly of pastures and fallow fields, with some nest boxes located along mixed-hardwood forest edge....

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