Unknown (by me) in Portland, Maine USA (1 Viewer)

[icansprint]

My photo really does not do this very colorful bird justice. It caught my eye when it flew into a nearby tree. My first impression was that it was sparrow sized but at that distance with my 600mm lens (300x2) it’s very hard to judge size without a known bird near by. It was very shy and had no intension of letting me see it let alone get a photo. I’m finding it harder this year (must be my age ) because the birds just don’t seem to look like they should. Help!

 

[Jane Turner]

Its a Rose-breasted Grosbeak I believe

 

[Miedin]

I agree with Rose-breasted Grosbeak.

 

[icansprint]

I thought of that but a female does not have a rose colored brest and a male does not have a brown head. The overall impression of the bird when I saw it was that it was overall very reddish brown, much more so that any Rose-breasted Grosbeak that I’ve ever seen. Am I missing something here? There are some Rose-breasted Grosbeaks in the area but none look anything like this bird.

 

[Bluetail]

I agree it has to be a Rose-breasted Grosbeak and I'd say it's a first-winter male. There's a pic of a similar bird here: http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/id/framlst/i5950id.html

 

[icansprint]

Thanks everyone! It just didn't look right to me but the pictures that Jason linked to are close enough for me.
Bill