Finches

Evening Grosbeak, Coccothraustes vespertinus

Family Fringillidae (Finches)

Size: 8"

Season: Year-round

Habitat: Coniferous or mixed woodlands, rural gardens

The evening grosbeak is a comical-looking finch with a large head, a short stubby tail, and an enormous conical bill. In the male, plumage fades from dark brown on the head to bright yellow toward the rump and belly. The wings are black with large white patches on the secondaries and tertials. The yellow superciliums merge with the flat forehead and meet the pale-yellow-green bill. The legs are short and pinkish. Females are grayish overall with choppy white markings on the wings. Evening grosbeaks travel in flocks to feed on seeds and berries in the upper canopy and often visit feeders, preferring sunflower seeds. The voice is a series of short, spaced, rattling cheep notes. The female (top) and adult male (bottom) are illustrated.