Evening Grosbeaks in New Hampshire
When evening grosbeaks are present in New Hampshire, when they nest, which native New Hampshire plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 3b–6a yard.
- Status in New Hampshire
- Year-round resident
- Nesting window
- July
- Broods
- 1–2 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3b–6a
When to expect evening grosbeaks in New Hampshire
Evening Grosbeaks live in New Hampshire all year. Long, snowy winters; boreal species visit feeders in irruption years. That makes the cold months the time your yard matters most to them: their winter diet shifts toward maple, box elder and ash seeds.
Humid continental, with the White Mountains dividing the southern lowlands from northern forest.
Nesting in New Hampshire
Across New Hampshire, evening grosbeaks typically nest from July. Nest site: loose cup high in conifers. Females lay 2–5 eggs, incubate for 11–14 days, and young leave the nest after 13–14 days.
Mild summers; nesting starts late May.
- Evening Grosbeaks don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as eastern red cedar, eastern white pine, eastern hemlock for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.
Native New Hampshire plants that attract evening grosbeaks
Of the regional native plants we track for New Hampshire, these 8 provide food or cover evening grosbeaks use:
Dense evergreen roost cover and bluish 'berries' eaten through winter.
Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.
Prolific seed heads for finches and sparrows.
Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.
Native bunchgrass; winter seed and ground cover for sparrows and juncos.
Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.
Seed-rich cones and year-round shelter.
Small cones for siskins and chickadees; dense winter roosting.
Feeding evening grosbeaks through the New Hampshire year
Flocks can empty a feeder in a morning during irruption years; populations have declined sharply since the 1980s.
- Best foods: Black-oil sunflower.
- In New Hampshire's winter: Long, snowy winters; boreal species visit feeders in irruption years.
Full diet breakdown for evening grosbeaks · Best feeder for evening grosbeaks
Frequently asked
Are evening grosbeaks in New Hampshire year-round?
Yes. Evening Grosbeaks are year-round residents in New Hampshire.
When do evening grosbeaks nest in New Hampshire?
Nesting in New Hampshire typically runs July, with 1–2 per season. Clutches are 2–5 eggs, incubated for 11–14 days.
What native plants attract evening grosbeaks in New Hampshire?
Eastern red cedar, Wild bergamot, Black-eyed Susan, New England aster, Little bluestem, Tall goldenrod, Eastern white pine, Eastern hemlock are native plants in New Hampshire that provide food or cover for evening grosbeaks.
Evening Grosbeaks in other regions
Other backyard birds in New Hampshire
Sources
- Evening Grosbeak — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Evening Grosbeak life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Evening Grosbeak — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- eBird region overview and bar charts — New Hampshire
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
- Audubon Native Plants Database
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.