Pennsylvania · Winter visitor

Evening Grosbeaks in Pennsylvania

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

Finches (Fringillidae)Evening GrosbeakCoccothraustes vespertinus

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

When to expect evening grosbeaks in Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, evening grosbeaks are winter visitors rather than breeders. Snow cover makes suet and heated water valuable; both chickadee species meet in a narrow hybrid zone across the south of the state. While here they rely on maple, box elder and ash seeds.

Humid continental; cold, snowy winters in the north and mountains, milder in the southeast.

Native Pennsylvania plants that attract evening grosbeaks

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

New England aster

Symphyotrichum novae-angliae · Perennial

Fall seed.

Eastern red cedar

Juniperus virginiana · Tree

Dense evergreen roost cover and bluish 'berries' eaten through winter.

Wild bergamot

Monarda fistulosa · Perennial

Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.

Purple coneflower

Echinacea purpurea · Perennial

Leave seed heads up through winter for goldfinches.

Black-eyed Susan

Rudbeckia hirta · Perennial

Prolific seed heads for finches and 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.

Eastern white pine

Pinus strobus · Tree

Seed-rich cones and year-round shelter.

Feeding evening grosbeaks through the Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania's winter: Snow cover makes suet and heated water valuable; both chickadee species meet in a narrow hybrid zone across the south of the state.

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

Frequently asked

Are evening grosbeaks in Pennsylvania year-round?

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

What native plants attract evening grosbeaks in Pennsylvania?

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

Other backyard birds in Pennsylvania

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 Common Redpoll Indigo Bunting Eastern Towhee Gray Catbird Northern Mockingbird Brown Thrasher Cedar Waxwing Tree Swallow Barn Swallow Eastern Phoebe Chimney Swift Yellow-rumped Warbler Pine Warbler Eastern Screech-Owl Wood Thrush Great Crested Flycatcher Eastern Kingbird American Tree Sparrow House Sparrow European Starling Fox Sparrow

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.