Evening Grosbeak

Evening Grosbeak

Habitat:
Breeds in coniferous and mixed forests, often association with spruce and fir in northern forests. During migration and in winter, may be common in deciduous groves in woodlands and semi-open country.
This chunky finch wanders widely in winter, descending on feeders in noisy flocks to eat great amounts of sunflower seeds. Originally a western bird, almost unknown east of the Great Lakes before the 1890s, it now breeds commonly east to New England. This eastward spread may have been helped by the planting of box-elders across the northern prairies and by the abundance of feeders in the Northeast.

Diet:
Mostly seeds, some berries and insects. Seeds make up a majority of the diet, especially the seeds of box-elders, ash, maple, locust and other trees. At feeders, they are extremely fond of sunflower seeds. They will eat fine gravel for minerals and salts. Their hugh bill allows it to crack large seeds easily.

Courtship:
In courtship, male "dances' with head and tail raised, wings drooped and vibrating as he swivels back and forth. Male frequently feeds the female during courtship.

Nest:
Usual sit is on a horizontol branch, often out from the trunk, or in a vertical fork of a tree. The nest is built by the female, and it is a rather loosely made cup of twigs, lined with fine grass, moss, rootlets and pine needles.

Eggs:
Usually 3-4, pale blue to blue-green, blotched with brown, gray and purple. The eggs are incubated by the female only, about 11-14 days. Male may feed the female while she is on the eggs.

Young:
Both parents bring food for the nestlings. Young leave the nest in about 2 weeks after hatching. Grosbeaks have 1 or 2 broods per year.

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