What is the origin of their name? Are these birds found all over the country? I could not find an entry in your western region "Field Guide to Birds." But I'm really curious about their name. Thanks.
Evening Grosbeak is on page 506 of our Stokes Field Guide To Birds, Western Region. They are in a different family and not closely related to the other Grosbeaks, such as Rose-breasted Grosbeak and Black-headed Grosbeak, so are in a different section of the field guide, since our guide is organized by phylogenetic order.
They are mostly found breeding in the western part of the country, lower Canada and the Northeast. Their winter range covers much of the country, where they can be found in greater numbers in some years, not others. They are considered an "irruptive species."
When Evening Grosbeaks were first discovered by early naturalists they were heard singing in the evening, so they named them Evening Grosbeaks. They sing at other times of day as well, thus it is a bit of a misnomer.
I love EGs! We are lucky in the PNW we can have 100s of them show up especially at the winter feeders. They eat alot! But are so fun the watch. A good bird.
And then, after dining at our tray bird feeder, they washed it down with a drink. Glad we keep the bird bath available.
3 comments:
What is the origin of their name? Are these birds found all over the country? I could not find an entry in your western region "Field Guide to Birds." But I'm really curious about their name. Thanks.
Evening Grosbeak is on page 506 of our Stokes Field Guide To Birds, Western Region. They are in a different family and not closely related to the other Grosbeaks, such as Rose-breasted Grosbeak and Black-headed Grosbeak, so are in a different section of the field guide, since our guide is organized by phylogenetic order.
They are mostly found breeding in the western part of the country, lower Canada and the Northeast. Their winter range covers much of the country, where they can be found in greater numbers in some years, not others. They are considered an "irruptive species."
When Evening Grosbeaks were first discovered by early naturalists they were heard singing in the evening, so they named them Evening Grosbeaks. They sing at other times of day as well, thus it is a bit of a misnomer.
I love EGs! We are lucky in the PNW we can have 100s of them show up especially at the winter feeders. They eat alot! But are so fun the watch. A good bird.
Dawn
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