Evening Grosbeak

Coccothraustes vespertinus

This grosbeak used to breed only in the West, but more food available at bird feeders may have allowed more birds to survive the winter, and the species now breeds all the way east to the Atlantic. Like most of the northern finches, these birds are more numerous in some years than in others. In winter they feed in flocks mainly on the seeds of box elder or on sunflower seeds at feeders. In spring the outer coating of the Evening Grosbeak's bill peels off, exposing the blue-green color beneath.

Look For : Big, greenish-yellow, cone-shaped bill. Male: yellow and brown. Female: grayer than male.

Length : 7-8".

Habitat : Forests, suburbs.

Range : Widespread in winter except Southeast and Gulf states.