Evening Grosbeaks in Washington
When evening grosbeaks are present in Washington, when they nest, which native Washington plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 4a–9a yard.
- Status in Washington
- Year-round resident
- Nesting window
- June–July
- Broods
- 1–2 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4a–9a
When to expect evening grosbeaks in Washington
Evening Grosbeaks live in Washington all year. Mild, wet winters on the Puget Sound; cold winters in the east. That makes the cold months the time your yard matters most to them: their winter diet shifts toward maple, box elder and ash seeds.
Marine west-coast climate west of the Cascades, semi-arid shrub-steppe to the east.
Nesting in Washington
Across Washington, evening grosbeaks typically nest from June–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.
Dry, sunny summers west of the Cascades; hot in the Columbia Basin.
- Evening Grosbeaks don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as paper birch, rocky mountain juniper, ponderosa pine for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.
Native Washington plants that attract evening grosbeaks
Of the regional native plants we track for Washington, these 8 provide food or cover evening grosbeaks use:
Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.
Prolific seed heads for finches and sparrows.
Annual native sunflower — the original feeder seed.
Native bunchgrass; winter seed and ground cover for sparrows and juncos.
Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.
Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.
Berry-like cones feed bluebirds, solitaires and waxwings in winter.
Seeds and bark insects; pygmy nuthatch and woodpecker habitat.
Feeding evening grosbeaks through the Washington 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 Washington's winter: Mild, wet winters on the Puget Sound; cold winters in the east.
Full diet breakdown for evening grosbeaks · Best feeder for evening grosbeaks
Frequently asked
Are evening grosbeaks in Washington year-round?
Yes. Evening Grosbeaks are year-round residents in Washington.
When do evening grosbeaks nest in Washington?
Nesting in Washington typically runs June–July, with 1–2 per season. Clutches are 2–5 eggs, incubated for 11–14 days.
What native plants attract evening grosbeaks in Washington?
Wild bergamot, Black-eyed Susan, Common sunflower, Little bluestem, Tall goldenrod, Paper birch, Rocky Mountain juniper, Ponderosa pine are native plants in Washington that provide food or cover for evening grosbeaks.
Evening Grosbeaks in other regions
Other backyard birds in Washington
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 — Washington
- 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.