Yuba Pass - Evening Grosbeak - Coccothraustes vesperinus

Every birder visiting Yuba Pass hopes to see the Evening Grosbeak, Coccothraustes vesperinus, and our group was not disappointed. These shots of a male were taken at the SF State Sierra Campus, down a bit from Yuba Pass along Hway 49. Another good spot is along the highway, where road salt collects in the gutter. Sadly, this habit of roadside foraging leads to the death of many birds from collisions with vehicles.

A single photo of the male make it clear that a field guide is not needed for identification, as this truly handsome species stands out among all other perching birds. The male has a bright yellow supercillium and forehead. The huge bill becomes lime green in the spring, and is used for cracking the seeds of fruit before they are swallowed. (Coccothraustes means "grain cracker" or "nut cracker"). Interesting to read that these birds have no interest in the fleshy part of fruit, like on a cherry, and will strip it away before cracking and swallowing the seed. Their preferred habitat is a mixed coniferous forest.

"Soft" shot here, because of low light level, but nice to see one in a tree!

Historically the Evening Grosbeak was mostly a species of the Western US and Canada, but its range has extended east in part because of the extensive planting of Box Elder, which has seeds highly favored by the Evening Grosbeak. They are also very partial to Spruce Budworms! In our coastal areas the species is seen unpredictably as an irruptive migrant.

Taxonomy-

Family - Fringillidae - Finches and allies, including Siskins and Crossbills). 176 species, including 12 species with the name "Grosbeak". Closest relatives of the Evening Grosbeak are the Hooded Grosbeak of Mexico and the Hawfinch of Eurasia.

Note: "Grosbeak" is a descriptive term, meaning "large beak". Grosbeaks are not all related, as fully 17 Grosbeaks are found in a different family, the Cardinalidae (Saltators, Cardinals and Allies).

Genus: Coccothraustes - 3 species, including the Hawfinch and Hooded Grosbeak.

Species: Coccothraustes vesperinus - Evening Grosbeak, so named because it was thought to sing more often in the evening. 3 subspecies - ours is probably C. v. brooksii.