The Evening Grosbeak (Coccothraustes vespertinus) is a large finch of the family Fringillidae. It has been commonly seen this fall in small to large flocks around feeders and roadsides. It loves sunflower seeds so is drawn to our many feeders.
This species is listed as an irregular, uncommon to common resident and migrant to New Brunswick. Flocks move in erratic patterns hence the 'irregular' descriptor. It has not always been a resident of New Brunswick. It was first reported in 1913 as a visitor from western Canada. It slowly became more frequent until the 1940s when a breeding report came from Tabusintac. During the spruce budworm infestation of 1950 to 1980 it became very common. I remember the request by our avian biologists to look for their nests in the late 1950s in an attempt to establish them as a resident breeder. I also remember seeing flocks on the sides of the roads in the 1950s and 1960s as they fed on tree seeds and salt spread on the roads in winter. Many times I heard the local people saying, 'What are those yellow birds?'
The Evening Grosbeak species was first described in 1850 by Charles Lucien Bonaparte. It was not found east of the Great Lakes before the 1890s.
The population numbers of this breed have dropped off since the populous days in the 1960s but it still breeds in much of the province. This year we have had reports of flocks from the north to the south. They seem to be making a comeback this year. Since this species is erratic, we may see them all winter but they may move on to Quebec or Maine.
The Evening Grosbeak is a large, noisy, boisterous finch. It is 20 cm (8 in) long. It is almost always in flocks. It is boldly patterned and has a short tail. The males are an unmistakable yellow, black and white. The bill is remarkably large. They are not called 'grosbeaks' for nothing. I am warning you - you don't want to get bitten by one (I have). The male has a rich dark brown on the head and neck which extends down the back. He has black and yellow on the crown and forehead. The lower back, breast and belly are bright yellow and the wings and tail are black. He sports white secondary and tertial wing feathers which show as a big white patch on his back when perched. See photo below.
The female is much more subdued. She is greyish brown above and a muted yellow below. Her throat is whitish and she also has black wings and tail. Her white patches on the wings are more subdued. Unlike the male she has large white spots at the tip of her tail.
The only species one would mistake the Evening Grosbeak for is the Hawfinch of Europe. There it comes to feeders in winter but is shyer than the Evening Grosbeak. I am not aware of any records of this species from New Brunswick.
The Evening Grosbeak prefers coniferous forest but also inhabits mixed woods. It has adapted well to coming to feeders to the delight of people. By its noisy behaviour we always know when it is present.
The Evening Grosbeak is a year-round resident all across Canada mostly in the southern part. This range extends into the western US and northern Mexico. It winters slightly south of this range. This species breeds in conifers where the female builds a loose cup nest of twigs lined with rootlets. It lays 3 to 5 blue green eggs spotted with brown and purple. The diet consists of seeds of trees and shrubs, juniper berries, insects, nuts, maple sap and buds of deciduous trees. It is difficult to describe its song, except that it is loud and unmistakable. It has been described as a series of short, musical whistles. When flocking they make a 'scree' sound.
Although we rarely see it, the male performs a courtship dance for the female. He raises his head and tail droops his vibrating wings and swivels back and forth. He frequently feeds the female. Both may bow alternately.
This species is remarkable in the quantity of seeds they can devour from your feeders. A single bird has been measured to consume 96 sunflower seeds in 5 minutes!
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