eBird maps show Evening Grosbeak’s location in December

In On the Move, our regular migration column, we feature pairs of range maps from eBird that you can use to compare where birds of interest are at different times of the year. We featured the Evening Grosbeak, pictured above, in our November/December 2018 issue.

Evening Grosbeak

Maps from eBird show where Evening Grosbeaks have been spotted in June (left) and December.

A stocky, showy chaffinch of northern coniferous forests, the evening grosbeak is a visual treat. Males feature a contrast of bright yellow, black, and white, while females sport slightly more subdued grays and browns. All individuals have a large conical beak. The maps above show where we might find it. In June, the species inhabits the coniferous forests of the boreal zone of Canada and in the Pacific Northwest and Rocky Mountain regions. In December, some individuals moved south to the northern Great Plains, the Midwest and New England. The Evening Grosbeak’s movements are difficult to predict, which is why the species is considered “troublesome” within its range. Look for this species in coniferous forests as well as at bird feeding stations, where it can appear suddenly.

View eBird’s real-time distribution maps for Evening Grosbeak.

A version of this article appeared in “Birding Briefs” in the November/December 2018 issue of BirdWatching.