Evening Grosbeak (Coccothraustes vespertinus)

(Photo - Cornell Lab)

Male

Photo - BarrytheBirder)

Female

A day or so ago it was the Rose-breasted Grosbeak; today it is another attractive Grosbeak: The Evening Grosbeak.   Evening Grosbeaks are widely distributed in Canada, occurring as far west as the Pacific Coast, north to the Yukon Border, and east to the Atlantic Coast.

To begin with, the Evening Grosbeak is a finch, and one of the largest in Canada ( 60 gms. in weight and 20 cm. long ... about the same size as a tennis ball).

The male is quite distinctive, having a black head, upper back, tail and chest, blending seamlessly into a bright yellow lower back and underparts. The male also has a wide, bright yellow eyebrow.   Sexually dimorphic, males and females do not look alike.   Females have a somewhat glowing silver body combined with pale yellow on the nape and upper chest and white spotting on the wings and tail.   Both sexes have massive conical bills.

Canada's population of Evening Grosbeaks is roughly two-thirds of the North American population.

They eat a variety of seeds and fruit during winter months including Manitoba Maple keys, Pin Cherries, and vast amponts of sunflower seed, particularly from bird feeders.

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder