8 inches long. The Evening Grosbeak has a large pale conical bill and a short tail. The adult male has a yellow forehead, eyebrow, and body. The head and upperback are dark brown. It has a black tail and wings with a large white patch in the wings. The adult female has gray upperparts.
The Evening Grosbeak is an irruptive winter migrant and is now a rare winter visitor to the Forest although in the past it was seen more often.
The Evening Grosbeak often moves in large flocks. The breeding range of the Evening Grosbeak underwent a significant expansion in the east due perhaps to the establishment of box elder in eastern cities. The box elder has abundant seeds that stay on the tree in the winter and provide food to the Grosbeaks. There is some recent concern over a steep population decline of this bird.
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