Evening Grosbeak in February
Where evening grosbeaks are in February, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
February in the Evening Grosbeak's year
February still feels like deep winter, but days are lengthening and the first stirrings of the breeding season begin — resident birds start singing on mild mornings and some early nesters are already claiming territories. Late-winter storms can be the hardest feeding days of the year.
For the Evening Grosbeak specifically, February is a winter month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 34 states and provinces where evening grosbeaks occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where evening grosbeaks are in February
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In February, evening grosbeaks are absent in the South, year-round resident across the mid-latitudes, and absent in the northern states and Canada. That north–south split is the defining feature of this month: where you live changes which version of this bird you're looking at.
Nesting in February
Evening grosbeaks are not nesting in February. The season runs June–July at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, evening grosbeaks put their energy into feeding and flocking rather than territory and young — which is exactly what makes them easier to watch and attract this month.
What to feed in February
- Maple, box elder and ash seeds
Flocks can empty a feeder in a morning during irruption years; populations have declined sharply since the 1980s.
Don't let feeders run empty during late-winter storms; birds burn enormous energy staying warm. This is also the month to clean and repair nest boxes before early nesters move in.
Full Evening Grosbeak diet guide → · Best feeder for evening grosbeaks →
Watching evening grosbeaks this month
Evening grosbeaks are settled and predictable in February, which makes this a good month to learn the bird's routine — same feeders, same perches, same times of day.
The state guides below show exactly where in your region evening grosbeaks are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Evening Grosbeak month by month
Evening Grosbeak by state
Frequently asked
Where are evening grosbeaks in February?
In February, evening grosbeaks are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do evening grosbeaks nest in February?
No — evening grosbeaks typically nest June through July at mid-latitudes.
What do evening grosbeaks eat in February?
Maple, box elder and ash seeds.
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
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.