With their pink head and chest, male Pine Grosbeaks are easy to identify as they gather around bird feeders for sunflowers in winter. The females are grayer with yellow or pink shading on their head and rump. Both are plump-chested (8-10 in) with 2 white wingbars. Their thick, stubby, dark beak easily crushes seeds and nips buds and needles off trees.
Pine Grosbeaks can be found year-round in the forests of Alaska, Canada (particularly the north and mountain regions), and the mountain regions of the western United States. They travel in flocks in winter, travelling further south to Alberta, Saskatchewan, the north-central United States, and the Great Lakes region. They feast in large flocks on fruit trees such as Rowan (Mountain Ash) until the tree is bare. They are slow-moving birds and allow people to come close.
Could it be? Evening Grosbeaks have a shorter tail and a large pale bill. House Finches are smaller with a pale bill and streakier coloring; the male is redder. White-winged Crossbills have a cross-tipped bill, are smaller with a shorter tail, and females are streakier.
Did you know? Pine Grosbeaks eat fruit by biting through and discarding the pulp before crushing the seed.
See Also: Evening Grosbeak
