Evening Grosbeaks in South Dakota
When evening grosbeaks are present in South Dakota, when they nest, which native South Dakota plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 3b–5b yard.
- Status in South Dakota
- Winter visitor
- Nesting window
- Does not typically nest here
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3b–5b
When to expect evening grosbeaks in South Dakota
In South Dakota, evening grosbeaks are winter visitors rather than breeders. Cold, windy winters. While here they rely on maple, box elder and ash seeds.
Continental, with prairie east of the Missouri River and the forested Black Hills in the west.
Native South Dakota plants that attract evening grosbeaks
Of the regional native plants we track for South Dakota, 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.
Annual native sunflower — the original feeder seed.
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.
Hosts hundreds of caterpillar species; spring flowers draw early insects.
Feeding evening grosbeaks through the South Dakota 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 South Dakota's winter: Cold, windy winters.
Full diet breakdown for evening grosbeaks · Best feeder for evening grosbeaks
Frequently asked
Are evening grosbeaks in South Dakota year-round?
No. Evening Grosbeaks are winter visitors in South Dakota and do not typically nest there.
What native plants attract evening grosbeaks in South Dakota?
Eastern red cedar, Wild bergamot, Black-eyed Susan, Common sunflower, New England aster, Little bluestem, Tall goldenrod, Sugar maple are native plants in South Dakota that provide food or cover for evening grosbeaks.
Evening Grosbeaks in other regions
Other backyard birds in South Dakota
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 — South Dakota
- 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.