Coccothraustes vespertinus
male
Andrew Cleave: Evening Grosbeak.
The Evening Grosbeak is a plump finch whose huge bill gives it a distinctive silhouette. The sexes are dissimilar. Adult males have a yellow forehead and supercilium, and an otherwise brown crown, face, and nape that grades to yellow on the mantle. The brown neck grades to golden yellow on the rest of the underparts. The tail is black and the wings are black with a white panel. Adult females are patterned like an adult male but the body plumage is mainly gray-buff, suffused yellow on the underparts. The tail is black with a white tip and the wings are black with two white patches. Juveniles are similar to their respective adults in terms of plumage pattern; juvenile females are similar in terms of color as well, but juvenile males are buffish brown overall.
The Evening Grosbeak is generally present year-round in its resident range, but in most years there is some movement southwards of nonbreeding flocks. In addition, large irruptive movements related to food shortages occur periodically. The species often visits birdfeeders in the winter months.
female
male
FACT FILE
LENGTH 8 in (20 cm)
FOOD Invertebrates, seeds, and berries
HABITAT Conifer and mixed forests and woodland
STATUS Widespread and common resident and partial migrant
VOICE Song is a seldom-heard series of subdued whistling notes. Call is a soft pee-irp
