A massive thick-billed finch with bright yellow body and bold white wing patches. Once common at northeastern feeders; declined 90%+ since 1966.

Native status: Native; population in dramatic decline

§ Quick facts

SizeBody 16–22 cm (6.3–8.7 in); wingspan 30–35 cm
Weight38–86 g (1.3–3.0 oz)
LifespanWild typically 5 years; oldest documented 16
OrderPasseriformes
FamilyFringillidae

§ Encyclopedia

The evening grosbeak is a passerine bird in the finch family Fringillidae found in North America.

Source: Wikipedia — Evening grosbeak Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Large thick-billed finch with bright yellow body, dark wings with white patches, dark tail. Massive triangular bill.

Similar species. Other large finches (different bills). American Goldfinch (much smaller, no big bill).

Voice. Loud whistled songs; sharp "tew-tew" calls during winter irruptions.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Seeds (sunflowers especially), buds, insects, suet.

Behavior. Once-common winter feeder visitors in much of the East; populations crashed 90%+ since 1966 for poorly understood reasons.

§ Range

Boreal Canada in summer; winters across US in irruption years

§ Habitat

Coniferous forests; rural feeders in winter

§ Threats

Western forest loss to insects and fire, disease, climate change.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the evening grosbeak is currently classified as Vulnerable.

§ What helps

Maintain coniferous forests. Support boreal conservation. Don't spray spruce budworm.

Support our work More ways to help

§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • Cornell Lab — All About Birds
  • Project FeederWatch
  • National Audubon Society
  • IUCN Red List 2017