Measurements
Both Sexes
- Length
- 6.3–7.1 in
16–18 cm - Wingspan
- 11.8–14.2 in
30–36 cm - Weight
- 1.9–2.6 oz
53–74 g
Other Names
- Gros-bec errant (French)
- Pepitero norteño (Spanish)
Cool Facts
- A female Evening Grosbeak collided with a small airplane in Colorado at 1.9 km (6,200 ft) above ground, (3.8 km (12,468 ft) above sea level). Whether this high altitude is unusual for this species is unknown.
- Evening Grosbeaks appear not to have a well developed song used in the normal functions of mate attraction and territory defense.
- For an analysis of the probability of seeing an Evening Grosbeak during the winter, based on FeederWatch data, go here.
Habitat
Forest
- Breeds in coniferous forests.
- Winters in coniferous or deciduous forests, and in urban and suburban areas.
- Comes readily to bird feeders.
Food
Seeds
Wide variety of small fruits and seeds, especially maples. Also insects and other invertebrates.
Nesting
Nesting Facts
- Clutch Size
- 2–5 eggs
- Egg Description
- Light blue to blue-green with brown scrawls concentrated on large end.
- Condition at Hatching
- Helpless with sparse down.
Nest Description
Nest a flattened loose saucer of small twigs and roots, lined with grasses, rootlets, lichens, or pine needles placed in tree or large shrub.
Nest Placement
Tree
Behavior
Ground Forager
Powerful bill allows it to crack very large seeds, such as cherry pits.
Conservation
Least Concern
Abundant and widespread species; not listed as threatened or endangered.
Credits
- Gillihan, S. W., and B. Byers. 2001. Evening Grosbeak (Coccothraustes vespertinus). In The Birds of North America, No. 599 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.