A flock of Evening Grosbeak’s showed up last week, which is why I chose them to highlight this month. The bold color of the males are pretty awesome.
IDENTIFICATION
– MALE –
HEAD: brown
CROWN: black
EYEBROWS: yellow
WINGS: black with large white patch
TAIL: black
BILL: large, conical, yellow-green
EYE: black
The female is not as boldly marked as the male. Her body is grayish with a yellow neck and white throat. Wings and tail are black with some white spots.
MALE:
White patches on wings:
Bright yellow eyebrows:
FEMALE:
HABITAT
Evening Grosbeaks make their homes in the conifer forests of North America. Breeding is in forests at higher elevations.
FEEDING
Evening Grosbeaks eat seeds, berries, and buds of trees. This explains why I see them hanging out at our bird feeders, as well as in our flowering cherry tree.
They’re kind of messy eaters. I have watched Golden-crowned Sparrows happily eat the leftovers the Grosbeaks were dropping at the feeder.
I have also seen Evening Grosbeaks foraging on the ground, most likely searching for insect larvae.
I love seeing birds visit my pond. ♥
FRIENDS & FAMILY
FAMILY: Finches
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Coccothraustes vespertinus
When the Evening Grosbeaks visit us they are typically in decent sized flocks of 20 or more. They also seem to hang out with other finches.
I often see them with a Black-headed Grosbeak.
Also, American Goldfinches tend to enjoy their company.
I have also seen Evening Grosbeaks with Purple Finches.
PHOTO GALLERY
Happy Birding!
