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The Pine Grosbeak is a large, robust finch found in coniferous and mixed forests across the northern Holarctic. Known for its striking plumage, particularly the rosy-red males, and its calm, approachable demeanor, it is a sought-after species by birdwatchers. It primarily feeds on buds, seeds, and fruits, especially during winter.
Size & lifespan
- Length
- 20-25 cm (7.9-9.8 in)
- Wingspan
- 33-38 cm (13-15 in)
- Weight
- 52-78 g (1.8-2.8 oz)
- Lifespan
- Up to 8-10 years in the wild
- Diet
- Herbivore (primarily buds, seeds, fruits, some insects)
Physical characteristics
- Plumage
- Males are predominantly rosy-red on the head, back, and rump, fading to pinkish on the underparts. They have two prominent white wing-bars on dark wings. Females and immatures are duller, typically yellowish-orange or olive-yellow on the head and rump, with grayish underparts and two white wing-bars. All plumages have a dark, deeply notched tail.
- Beak shape
- Conical, stout, and relatively short, dark gray to black, adapted for crushing seeds and buds.
- Eye color
- Dark brown
- Leg color
- Dark gray to black
- Distinguishing features
- Large size for a finch, long tail, stout conical bill, and two prominent white wing-bars. Males' rosy-red plumage is distinctive. Females and immatures show yellowish or olive-yellow on the head and rump.
- Juvenile appearance
- Juveniles resemble females, but are often duller, with less distinct yellow or olive tones and more streaking on the underparts. They gradually acquire adult plumage over their first year.
- Seasonal changes
- No significant seasonal plumage changes; breeding and non-breeding plumages are similar. Plumage may appear slightly duller due to wear by late summer.
- Sexual dimorphism
- Pronounced. Adult males are rosy-red, while adult females and immatures are yellowish-orange or olive-yellow on the head and rump, with gray bodies.
How to identify
- 1
Size and Shape
Look for a large, plump finch with a relatively long, deeply notched tail and a stout, conical bill. It's noticeably larger than most other finches.
- 2
Male Plumage
Adult males are unmistakable with their rosy-red head, back, and rump, contrasting with grayish underparts and dark wings with two prominent white wing-bars.
- 3
Female/Immature Plumage
Females and immatures show yellowish-orange or olive-yellow on the head and rump, with grayish bodies and two distinct white wing-bars. This combination of color and wing-bars is key.
- 4
Behavior
Observe its calm, deliberate foraging behavior, often feeding quietly on buds or berries. They are often quite tame and allow close approach.
- 5
Vocalizations
Listen for its distinctive, clear, whistled 'pui-pui-pui' call or its rich, flute-like warbling song.
Habitat & range
- Biomes
- Boreal forests, taiga, subalpine coniferous forests, mixed forests
- Geographic range
- Holarctic distribution, breeding across northern North America (Alaska, Canada, northern US states) and northern Eurasia (Scandinavia, Russia, Siberia). Winters generally within breeding range but may irrupt south in some years.
- Elevation range
- Sea level to treeline, typically 500-2500 meters in mountainous regions.
- Preferred environments
- Dense coniferous forests (spruce, fir, pine), mixed conifer-deciduous woodlands, often near forest edges, clearings, or bogs. Prefers areas with abundant fruit-bearing trees and shrubs.
Behavior
- Activity time
- Diurnal
- Feeding habits
- Primarily herbivorous, feeding on buds, seeds, berries, and fruits of various trees and shrubs (e.g., mountain ash, juniper, spruce, pine, birch, aspen). They use their stout bill to crush seeds and snip off buds. Occasionally consumes insects, especially during the breeding season. Often forages deliberately and calmly.
- Social behavior
- Typically found in pairs during the breeding season. Outside of breeding, they form small, loose flocks, sometimes mixing with other finch species. They are generally tame and approachable.
- Flight pattern
- Strong, undulating flight, typical of finches. Often flies in small, loose flocks.
- Migration pattern
- Mostly resident or short-distance migrant. Some populations undertake irregular, irruptive movements south during winters when food sources are scarce in their northern breeding grounds. These irruptions can bring them far south of their typical winter range.
- Territoriality
- Males defend a breeding territory during the nesting season, primarily through song and displays, though they are not aggressively territorial compared to some other passerines.
Song & calls
- Song
- A rich, warbling, flute-like song, often described as a series of clear, whistled notes, 'tee-tee-tew-tew-tew' or 'pui-pui-pui'. It is melodious and often delivered from a prominent perch.
- Call
- Common calls include a clear, whistled 'pui-pui-pui' or 'chew-chew-chew', often given in flight or while foraging. Also a soft 'chup' or 'chip' note.
- When they vocalize
- Most vocal during the breeding season (spring and early summer), but calls can be heard year-round, especially when flocks are foraging.
Breeding & reproduction
- Breeding season
- Late May to early August, with peak activity in June and July.
- Nesting habits
- Nests are typically built in coniferous trees (spruce, fir) or sometimes deciduous trees, usually 2-6 meters (6-20 ft) above the ground, often close to the trunk. The nest is a bulky cup made of twigs, rootlets, moss, and lichens, lined with fine grasses, hair, or feathers.
- Clutch size
- 3-5 eggs, typically 4.
- Egg description
- 3-5 eggs, pale blue or greenish-blue, spotted and streaked with dark brown or black, particularly at the larger end.
- Incubation period
- 13-14 days, primarily by the female.
- Fledging period
- 18-20 days after hatching. Young are fed by both parents.
- Parental care
- Both parents participate in feeding the nestlings and fledglings. The male often feeds the female during incubation.
Where to find
Coniferous Forests
Look in mature spruce, fir, and pine forests, especially those with a mix of deciduous trees like birch or aspen.
Mountainous Regions
In western North America and Eurasia, check subalpine forests at higher elevations.
Forest Edges and Clearings
They often forage along the edges of forests, in clearings, or near bogs where fruit-bearing shrubs are abundant.
Winter Irruptions
During irruption years, they can be found further south than usual, sometimes visiting feeders in suburban areas, especially those offering black oil sunflower seeds.
Field tips
- Listen for Calls. Their distinctive whistled calls are often the first indication of their presence, especially in dense forest.
- Look for Foraging Activity. Scan the tops of conifers and deciduous trees for birds feeding on buds or berries. They can be quite still while foraging.
- Check Berry Bushes. In winter, focus on trees and shrubs with persistent fruits, such as mountain ash, juniper, or crabapple.
- Be Patient and Quiet. Pine Grosbeaks are often tame but can be inconspicuous. Moving slowly and quietly increases your chances of spotting them.
- Visit Feeders (Winter). During irruptive winters, they may visit bird feeders, particularly those with black oil sunflower seeds or suet.
Similar species
White-winged Crossbill
Loxia leucoptera
Smaller size, distinctive crossed mandibles, and different call notes. Males are also red, but typically a brighter, more uniform red, and females are yellowish, but lack the Pine Grosbeak's stout bill and overall larger size. Crossbills have a more erratic, acrobatic feeding style.
Red Crossbill
Loxia curvirostra
Similar to White-winged Crossbill, but lacks the prominent white wing-bars. Also smaller with crossed mandibles. Males are red, females yellowish-olive.
Purple Finch
Haemorhous purpureus
Significantly smaller, with a less stout bill and a shorter, less notched tail. Males have a raspberry-red wash that extends more uniformly over the body, lacking the distinct rosy-red head/rump and gray body of the Pine Grosbeak. Females are heavily streaked below and lack the yellowish tones on the head/rump.
House Finch
Haemorhous mexicanus
Smaller than Pine Grosbeak, with a conical bill and streaked underparts. Males have red limited to the head, breast, and rump, often with brown streaking on flanks. Females are dull brown with heavy streaking. Lacks the Pine Grosbeak's large size, long tail, and prominent wing-bars.
Quick facts
- Size:
- Large finch
- Habitat:
- Boreal and subalpine forests
- Diet:
- Buds, seeds, fruits
- Male Color:
- Rosy-red
- Female Color:
- Yellowish/olive-yellow
- Distinguishing Mark:
- Two white wing-bars
- Vocalization:
- Flute-like whistles
- Conservation Status:
- Least Concern
Fun facts
- The Pine Grosbeak is the largest species in the finch family (Fringillidae) found in North America.
- Its scientific name, 'Pinicola enucleator', translates roughly to 'pine dweller who shells nuts', reflecting its habitat and feeding habits.
- Unlike many finches, Pine Grosbeaks are known for their remarkably tame and approachable nature, often allowing birdwatchers to get quite close.
- They are one of the few bird species that can survive extremely cold northern winters by relying heavily on a diet of tree buds and persistent fruits.
- Irruptive movements, where large numbers of birds move south in winter, are often linked to failures in the cone or berry crops in their northern breeding grounds.
Scientific classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Fringillidae
- Genus
- Pinicola
- Species
- Pinicola enucleator
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