Ohio · Winter visitor

Evening Grosbeaks in Ohio

When evening grosbeaks are present in Ohio, when they nest, which native Ohio plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 5b–7a yard.

Finches (Fringillidae)Evening GrosbeakCoccothraustes vespertinus

Status in Ohio: Winter visitor
Nesting window: Does not typically nest here
Hardiness zones: USDA 5b–7a

When to expect evening grosbeaks in Ohio

In Ohio, evening grosbeaks are winter visitors rather than breeders. Snow and sub-freezing stretches are routine; Carolina Chickadees hold the south and Black-capped the north. While here they rely on maple, box elder and ash seeds.

Humid continental; cold winters and warm summers, with Lake Erie moderating the north coast.

Native Ohio plants that attract evening grosbeaks

Of the regional native plants we track for Ohio, these 8 provide food or cover evening grosbeaks use:

Eastern red cedar

Juniperus virginiana · Tree

Winter cover and fruit.

Wild bergamot

Monarda fistulosa · Perennial

Summer nectar and fall seed.

Purple coneflower

Echinacea purpurea · Perennial

Seed heads.

Black-eyed Susan

Rudbeckia hirta · Perennial

Prolific seed heads for finches and sparrows.

Common sunflower

Helianthus annuus · Perennial

Annual native sunflower — the original feeder seed.

New England aster

Symphyotrichum novae-angliae · Perennial

Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.

Little bluestem

Schizachyrium scoparium · Perennial

Native bunchgrass; winter seed and ground cover for sparrows and juncos.

Tall goldenrod

Solidago altissima · Perennial

Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.

Feeding evening grosbeaks through the Ohio 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 Ohio's winter: Snow and sub-freezing stretches are routine; Carolina Chickadees hold the south and Black-capped the north.

Full diet breakdown for evening grosbeaks · Best feeder for evening grosbeaks

Frequently asked

Are evening grosbeaks in Ohio year-round?

No. Evening Grosbeaks are winter visitors in Ohio and do not typically nest there.

What native plants attract evening grosbeaks in Ohio?

Eastern red cedar, Wild bergamot, Purple coneflower, Black-eyed Susan, Common sunflower, New England aster, Little bluestem, Tall goldenrod are native plants in Ohio that provide food or cover for evening grosbeaks.

Other backyard birds in Ohio

Northern Cardinal Eastern Bluebird Black-capped Chickadee Carolina Chickadee Purple Martin Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker American Goldfinch Tufted Titmouse White-breasted Nuthatch House Wren Blue Jay House Finch Purple Finch Ruby-throated Hummingbird Carolina Wren Mourning Dove American Robin Dark-eyed Junco White-throated Sparrow Song Sparrow Chipping Sparrow Red-bellied Woodpecker Northern Flicker Pileated Woodpecker Red-headed Woodpecker Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Red-breasted Nuthatch Brown Creeper Common Grackle Red-winged Blackbird Baltimore Oriole Orchard Oriole Rose-breasted Grosbeak Pine Siskin Indigo Bunting Eastern Towhee Gray Catbird Northern Mockingbird Brown Thrasher Cedar Waxwing Tree Swallow Barn Swallow Eastern Phoebe Chimney Swift Yellow-rumped Warbler Eastern Screech-Owl Wood Thrush Great Crested Flycatcher Eastern Kingbird American Tree Sparrow House Sparrow European Starling White-crowned Sparrow Fox Sparrow Eurasian Collared-Dove

Sources

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.