Evening Grosbeak: Bird Finder for October 28, 2016

Evening Grosbeak (Male), Lac Le Jeune Resort, Near Logan Lake, British Columbia

Evening Grosbeak

Coccothraustes vespertinus

by Milan Bull, Senior Director of Science and Conservation

Those of you who have packed on more than a few years of chasing birds will easily remember the 1950’s and 60’s when Evening Grosbeaks were welcome visitors to our winter feeders. Usually they came in small flocks and mobbed the sunflower tray for a day or two, then disappeared. Being large, colorful grosbeaks with massive bills and dressed in black, white and bright yellow, they were always greeted with joy and amazement.

At one point in the late 50’s we considered them common winter visitors and a few pairs even nested in Glastonbury in ’62. Since then they have become fairly unreliable at our feeders, showing up irregularly during the winter.

Now they seem to be more commonly heard than seen, calling as a few pairs pass by overhead during migration in the fall and spring. Several were heard flying over Sherwood Island State Park in Westport and in the town of Canton recently, so it’s worth keeping an eye on your feeders.

What it looks like: Unmistakable. A large, husky finch with a heavy, pale, conical bill. Adult males are yellow and black with a bold white patch in the wings. The dark head has a bright yellow chevron over the eye. Females are mostly grey with black and white wings.

Where to find it: Usually near forests, if you are lucky, as their movements in the winter are erratic and seemingly unpredictable. They breed in the conifer forests of northern North America and the mountains of the west and make forays into the northeastern states during fall and winter. Each winter lucky lottery winners, usually in the northern Connecticut towns, will be surprised by a few pairs at their sunflower feeders.

How to find it: As I mentioned this fall several have been heard passing overhead during migration recently, but none have yet been reported at feeders. That may be a good sign that we may get some stopovers at sunflower trays (they don’t visit tube feeders) this winter. You are much more likely to hear them passing overhead where their characteristic calls, a running patter of loud, sharp “cheer” notes sound vaguely similar to House Sparrows.

Interesting facts: Evening Grosbeaks are attracted to natural salt and mineral sources, and can break open seeds that require up to 125 lbs. of pressure to crush.

Photo Alan D. Wilson/Carolinabirds.org