Nevada · Winter visitor

Pine Grosbeaks in Nevada

When pine grosbeaks are present in Nevada, when they nest, which native Nevada plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 4a–10a yard.

Finches (Fringillidae)Pine GrosbeakPinicola enucleator
Status in Nevada
Winter visitor
Nesting window
Does not typically nest here
Hardiness zones
USDA 4a–10a

When to expect pine grosbeaks in Nevada

In Nevada, pine grosbeaks are winter visitors rather than breeders. Cold, dry winters in Reno and the north; mild winters in the south.

Great Basin cold desert in the north and Mojave hot desert around Las Vegas.

Native Nevada plants that attract pine grosbeaks

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

Chokecherry
Prunus virginiana · Shrub

Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.

Red-osier dogwood
Cornus sericea · Shrub

White fruit and red winter stems; good thicket cover.

Rocky Mountain juniper
Juniperus scopulorum · Tree

Berry-like cones feed bluebirds, solitaires and waxwings in winter.

Ponderosa pine
Pinus ponderosa · Tree

Seeds and bark insects; pygmy nuthatch and woodpecker habitat.

Golden currant
Ribes aureum · Shrub

Early yellow flowers for hummingbirds, then summer fruit.

Western serviceberry
Amelanchier alnifolia · Shrub

Saskatoon berries ripen in early summer.

Buffaloberry
Shepherdia argentea · Shrub

Tart red fruit that persists into winter.

Prickly pear
Opuntia engelmannii · Shrub

Fruit and seed plus nest sites for Cactus Wrens.

Feeding pine grosbeaks through the Nevada year

  • Top foods: Black-oil sunflower, Hulled sunflower.
  • In Nevada's winter: Cold, dry winters in Reno and the north; mild winters in the south.

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

Frequently asked

Are pine grosbeaks in Nevada year-round?

No. Pine Grosbeaks are winter visitors in Nevada and do not typically nest there.

What native plants attract pine grosbeaks in Nevada?

Chokecherry, Red-osier dogwood, Rocky Mountain juniper, Ponderosa pine, Golden currant, Western serviceberry, Buffaloberry, Prickly pear are native plants in Nevada that provide food or cover for pine grosbeaks.

Pine Grosbeaks in other regions

Other backyard birds in Nevada

Black-capped ChickadeeDowny WoodpeckerHairy WoodpeckerAmerican GoldfinchWhite-breasted NuthatchHouse WrenHouse FinchMourning DoveAmerican RobinDark-eyed JuncoSong SparrowChipping SparrowNorthern FlickerRed-breasted NuthatchBrown CreeperRed-winged BlackbirdEvening GrosbeakPine SiskinNorthern MockingbirdCedar WaxwingTree SwallowBarn SwallowYellow-rumped WarblerEastern KingbirdAmerican Tree SparrowHouse SparrowEuropean StarlingWoodhouse's Scrub-JayBlack-billed MagpieMountain ChickadeeBushtitJuniper TitmousePygmy NuthatchAnna's HummingbirdBlack-chinned HummingbirdBroad-tailed HummingbirdCosta's HummingbirdLesser GoldfinchCassin's FinchSpotted TowheeGambel's QuailCalifornia QuailWestern BluebirdMountain BluebirdSay's PhoebeBlack PhoebeGila WoodpeckerLadder-backed WoodpeckerCactus WrenVerdinBewick's WrenWhite-crowned SparrowFox SparrowViolet-green SwallowBlack-headed GrosbeakLazuli BuntingBullock's OrioleEurasian Collared-DoveWhite-winged DoveAmerican CrowCommon RavenCooper's HawkSharp-shinned HawkRed-tailed HawkGreat Horned OwlAmerican KestrelWild TurkeyMallardGreat Blue HeronBelted KingfisherBrown-headed CowbirdRuby-crowned KingletGolden-crowned KingletHermit ThrushRed CrossbillWestern TanagerHooded OriolePhainopeplaBlack-throated SparrowLark SparrowGreen-tailed TowheePinyon JayClark's NutcrackerWestern Screech-OwlHooded MerganserBand-tailed PigeonYellow WarblerCommon YellowthroatAmerican RedstartYellow-breasted ChatOrange-crowned WarblerRed-eyed VireoWarbling VireoLeast FlycatcherWestern KingbirdVermilion FlycatcherAsh-throated FlycatcherCliff SwallowNorthern Rough-winged SwallowBank SwallowCommon NighthawkCanada GooseAmerican CootKilldeerSpotted SandpiperBlack-crowned Night HeronTurkey VultureOspreyBald EagleMerlinPeregrine FalconNorthern Saw-whet OwlBurrowing OwlLewis's WoodpeckerBlack-backed WoodpeckerWhite-headed WoodpeckerSavannah SparrowVesper SparrowSnow BuntingLapland LongspurHorned LarkBlue GrosbeakWhite-winged CrossbillGray-crowned Rosy-FinchBohemian WaxwingCactus WrenGreater RoadrunnerBobolinkYellow-headed BlackbirdBrewer's BlackbirdGreat-tailed GrackleRock Pigeon

Sources

  1. Pine Grosbeak — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  2. Pine Grosbeak life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  3. Pine Grosbeak — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
  4. eBird region overview and bar charts — Nevada
  5. USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
  6. 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.