blue grosbeak

American  

noun

1. a grosbeak, Guiraca caerulea, of the U.S., Mexico, and Central America, the male of which is blue with two rusty bars on each wing.

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Etymology

Origin of blue grosbeak

An Americanism dating back to 1720–30

Example Sentences

Other new breeding species include the eastern meadowlark, known for its sharp call; the blue grosbeak, a striking blue relative of the cardinal; and the bobolink, a bumblebee-colored blackbird that migrates 12,500 miles annually.

From New York Times • Jun. 9, 2016

Its original, the blue grosbeak, is an uncertain wanderer from the south, as the pine grosbeak is from the north.

From Locusts and Wild Honey by Burroughs, John

Roosevelt also was puzzled to know what they were till we went among them and stirred them up, discovering that they were females of the blue grosbeak, with some sparrows which we did not identify.

From Under the Maples by Burroughs, John

There is also the blue grosbeak, not much behind the indigo-bird in intensity of color; and among our warblers the blue tint is very common.

From Wake-Robin by Burroughs, John

I quickened my steps, and to my delight the singer proved to be a blue grosbeak.

From A Florida Sketch-Book by Torrey, Bradford