Pine Grosbeaks in Utah
When pine grosbeaks are present in Utah, when they nest, which native Utah plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 4a–9a yard.
- Status in Utah
- Summer breeder
- Nesting window
- May–July
- Broods
- 1 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4a–9a
When to expect pine grosbeaks in Utah
Pine Grosbeaks are summer residents in Utah, arriving shortly before nesting begins in May and leaving after the young are independent.
Semi-arid to arid, with the Wasatch Range rising above the Great Basin and red-rock canyon country in the south.
Nesting in Utah
Across Utah, pine grosbeaks typically nest from May–July. Plan around that window: April for setup, July for clean-out.
Hot, dry summers.
- Pine Grosbeaks don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as smooth sumac, virginia creeper, chokecherry for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.
Native Utah plants that attract pine grosbeaks
Of the regional native plants we track for Utah, these 8 provide food or cover pine grosbeaks use:
Red fruit heads hang on through winter.
Blue fruit on red stems in early fall.
Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.
White fruit and red winter stems; good thicket cover.
Berry-like cones feed bluebirds, solitaires and waxwings in winter.
Seeds and bark insects; pygmy nuthatch and woodpecker habitat.
Early yellow flowers for hummingbirds, then summer fruit.
Saskatoon berries ripen in early summer.
Feeding pine grosbeaks through the Utah year
- Top foods: Black-oil sunflower, Hulled sunflower.
- In Utah's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.
Full diet breakdown for pine grosbeaks · Best feeder for pine grosbeaks
Frequently asked
Are pine grosbeaks in Utah year-round?
No. Pine Grosbeaks are summer breeders in Utah and leave for the winter.
When do pine grosbeaks nest in Utah?
Nesting in Utah typically runs May–July, with 1 per season. Clutches are 2–5 eggs, incubated for 13–14 days.
What native plants attract pine grosbeaks in Utah?
Smooth sumac, Virginia creeper, Chokecherry, Red-osier dogwood, Rocky Mountain juniper, Ponderosa pine, Golden currant, Western serviceberry are native plants in Utah that provide food or cover for pine grosbeaks.
Pine Grosbeaks in other regions
Other backyard birds in Utah
Sources
- Pine Grosbeak — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Pine Grosbeak life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Pine Grosbeak — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Utah
- 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.