Pine Grosbeak

The Pine Grosbeak (Pinicola enucleator) is a robust bird, one of the largest in the finch family, Fringillidae. It exhibits sexual dimorphism: males are adorned with a rose-red head, back, and rump, while females display an olive-yellow head and rump with a grey back. Both sexes have black wings with white wing bars and a large bill, and their tail is long and forked.

Identification Tips

Adult males can be identified by their striking rose-red plumage, whereas females and young birds are more subdued in coloration. The species is characterized by a conical beak and a distinctive forked tail. Observers should note the white wing bars against the black wings for proper identification.

Habitat

Pine Grosbeaks are found in coniferous woods, where they breed in the boreal forests of northern Eurasia and North America. They are also known to inhabit other woodland types.

Distribution

This species ranges across Alaska, the western mountains of the United States, Canada, and extends into subarctic Fennoscandia and across the Palearctic to Siberia. During irruptive years, they may travel southward in search of food.

Behaviour

Pine Grosbeaks are generally resident birds, but may migrate south when food is scarce. They forage in trees and bushes, often in flocks outside the nesting season. During breeding, both sexes develop gular pouches to store seeds before feeding them to their young.

Song & Calls

The Pine Grosbeak's vocalizations are geographically variable, including a whistled "pui pui pui" or "chii-vli." Its song is a short, musical warble.

Breeding

They nest on a horizontal branch or in a fork of a conifer. The breeding habitat is closely tied to coniferous forests.

Similar Species

The Pine Grosbeak can be confused with other grosbeaks, but its large size, coloration, and habitat preferences can help distinguish it from similar species.

Diet and Feeding

The diet consists mainly of seeds, buds, berries, and insects. They have a particular fondness for small fruits, such as rowans, and their feeding habits can cause them to move long distances in irruptive years.

Conservation status

The Pine Grosbeak is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, indicating that it is not at immediate risk of population decline.