The Evening Grosbeak is a striking bird with bright yellow and black plumage. These stocky finches were once regular winter visitors to backyards across much of the United States and Canada. However, due to habitat loss and climate change, Evening Grosbeak populations have declined dramatically in recent decades. This has made finding these gregarious birds more challenging for birders. However, Evening Grosbeaks can still be found in certain parts of their breeding and wintering ranges at the right times of year. Knowing key details about their distribution, habitat, behavior, and appearance can help birders locate remaining Evening Grosbeak populations.
Breeding Range and Habitat
Evening Grosbeaks breed primarily in coniferous forests across Canada and the western United States. They nest in mature spruce, fir, pine, and larch trees from Alaska east to Quebec and south to California, Arizona, and New Mexico. Breeding habitat is typically at higher elevations. Evening Grosbeaks build their nests on horizontal tree branches high up in the canopy.
Some of the best places to find Evening Grosbeaks during breeding season include:
- Northern boreal forests in Canada’s Yukon, Northwest Territories, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec.
- The western mountains of the United States including the Cascades, Sierra Nevada, and Rocky Mountains.
- Higher elevation pine and fir forests in the Black Hills of South Dakota.
- Spruce-fir forests in the White Mountains of Arizona and New Mexico.
In these northern and mountain forest habitats, listen for the loud, ringing Calls and flight calls of breeding Evening Grosbeaks in spring and early summer. Scan tall conifers for large nests built high up on horizontal branches. Evening Grosbeaks may gather in small flocks when not nesting.
Winter Range and Habitat
During winter, Evening Grosbeaks migrate south and downhill to lower elevations. They forage in open, seed-bearing deciduous trees and shrubs, as well as in conifer forests. In some regions, Evening Grosbeaks commonly visit backyard feeders stocked with sunflower seeds in winter.
Historically, Evening Grosbeaks wintered across much of the United States and southern Canada. But as populations have declined, they are now found in fewer, more scattered wintering areas. The most reliable places to find wintering Evening Grosbeaks include:
- Southern British Columbia
- Southwestern Ontario
- Southeastern Manitoba
- Minnesota
- Michigan
- Wisconsin
- Northern Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- New York
- New England
- Pacific Northwest
- Northern California
- Northern Rockies
- Black Hills of South Dakota
In these regions, look for Evening Grosbeaks in winter feeding flocks that may contain dozens of birds. They frequent backyards, parks, woodland edges, agricultural areas, and open conifer forests with seed sources. Listen for their loud, chattering calls and chickadee-like feeding calls.
Appearance and Behavior
Knowing the appearance and behavior of Evening Grosbeaks will help you identify them. Some key identification features include:
- Large finch with a big conical bill
- Males are yellow with black wings, tail, and face
- Females are gray-brown with yellow tinges on the head and rump
- Juveniles resemble females but are streakier overall
- Gregarious, often in flocks
- Loud, musical warbling calls
- Chickadee-like feeding calls
- Powerful, undulating flight on broad, rounded wings
- Forages actively in trees and shrubs for conifer seeds and berries
- Visits bird feeders, especially for sunflower seeds
Male Evening Grosbeaks are unmistakable with their bright lemon-yellow bodies and jet black wings, tail, and face. Females and juveniles are harder to identify unless heard giving characteristic Evening Grosbeak calls. Their large beaks give them a profile distinct from other finches. These dexterous bills allow Evening Grosbeaks to extract seeds efficiently. Watch for them flipping over cones and twisting them open. Evening Grosbeaks get their common name from their noisy calls often given around dusk. But they may vocalize and feed actively any time of day in winter.
Population Declines
Evening Grosbeak populations have declined by an estimated 90% since the 1960s. Their rapid disappearance from much of their historical range has puzzled scientists. Several factors likely contribute to their decline:
- Habitat loss on the breeding grounds due to logging and land clearing
- Increasing warm temperatures driving conifers with prime seeds farther north
- Disease outbreaks
- Pesticide use reducing food supplies
- Climate change misaligning migration timing and food availability
More research is needed to fully understand causes of Evening Grosbeak declines and implement conservation strategies. In the meantime, birders can aid monitoring efforts by reporting observations through eBird and local bird organizations. Photographing these magnificent finches provides valuable documentation. Providing native seed and berry sources may also help support wintering Evening Grosbeaks.
Best Times to See Them
Here is a summary of the best times during the year to look for Evening Grosbeaks:
Breeding Season
- May through July
- Coniferous forests of Canada and western U.S. mountains
- Listen for calls, watch tree canopy for nests
Fall Migration
- August through November
- Can turn up almost anywhere en route to wintering grounds
- Check mixed flocks visiting berry bushes and seed sources
Winter Season
- November through March
- Scattered wintering areas in Canada and northern U.S.
- Frequent conifers near seed sources
- Visit feeders stocked with sunflower seeds
Spring Migration
- March and April
- Can appear widely as they return north
- May stopover in deciduous trees and at feeders
Conclusion
Finding Evening Grosbeaks has become more of a challenge in recent decades. But following the guidance above can improve your chances of crossing paths with these declining finches. Any sighting is valuable to track distributions and support conservation efforts for Evening Grosbeaks. With persistence and searching suitable habitats at the right times of year, you may get lucky and enjoy memorable views of these stunning yellow and black beauties.