I’m keeping my fingers crossed. There have been scattered reports across the state of a bird I have yet to see in TN. And if it’s one of those rare years when lots of them show up it will truly be a treat for all of us when they begin to visit our feeders. This bird is seen in TN in very few numbers every year from November to May, however, there are “invasion” years when massive numbers of them move down from the most northern region of the U.S. and Lower Canada because food sources are not plentiful enough to sustain them during the harsh winter conditions. And like their relatives, the Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, they possess a hearty appetite. I am referring to the Evening Grosbeak, a member of the finch family. This bulky songbird has a large, pale, conical bill and very noticeable large white patches on black wings. Males are a dull yellow with a dark neck and head and a prominent yellow eyebrow stripe. At first glance the un-expecting eye may think this bird to be an overgrown Goldfinch. Like finches and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks they travel and feed in numbers. Their call is described by Peterson’s A Field Guide to Birds as finchlike, and suggestive of a glorified House Sparrow’s call.
Evening Grosbeaks are extremely fond of sunflower and safflower at feeders. They are a large enough bird, roughly the size of a Starling, that platform and hopper style feeders are likely more accommodating but tube feeders, especially with trays, will work, too.
If any of you see Evening Grosbeaks at your feeding station please let us know.