Field Guide for all the Birds of North America
Pine Grosbeak
Durbec des sapins
Pinicola enucleator
Information, images and range maps on over 1,000 birds of North America, including sub-species, vagrants, introduced birds and possibilities
Species: The Pine Grosbeak (Pinicola enucleator) is the largest member of the grosbeak family in North America. Being circumpolar, this grosbeak can be seen throughout Eurasia's northern range. They are tame and trusting in nature and are very easy to approach. The conifer forests are the mainstay of their habitat. This is where these large finch-type birds feed on the fruit and berries from the trees, including cone seeds.
Distinctions: The male has a reddish wine coloured body, including head, back and breast, with dark wings with two white wingbars, and a black tail. The female is mostly grey in nature, yellowish crown and nape, dark wings, with two wingbars and a dark tail as well. The juvenile is similar to the female but with duller colours.
Voice: Whistle-type lyrics, combined by using four or five notes. Common to be seen singing from the top of a conifer tree.
Nesting: Three to five pale bluish-green coloured eggs, one brood per year. The nest is built in a tree, not too high from the ground. Made up of forest materials, such as twigs, needles and leaves.
Life, Habitat & Pictures of North American Grosbeaks
| B L | W W | W | Family | Latin Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9" 23cm | 14.5" 36.8cm | 2oz 56.7g | Fringillidae | Pinicola enucleator |
North American Bird Calls
- Click to hear Choice 1
- Summer
- Year Around
- Winter
Distribution: Prefers a cooler climate, which includes mountainous terrains. In the winter months, it may move into deciduous growths in search of seeds and buds. Seen from Newfoundland and Labrador throughout all the provinces, especially the northern region provinces, Northwest Territories, Yukon Territory and Alaska. It may also be seen in the Rocky Mountain range and other isolated pockets in the northwestern US states.
References to Other Bird Sites:
Avibase - the world bird database This site provides the user with a complete list of bird species, broken down per country, or in the example of the US or Canada, per state and province. Here, bird species names are available in other languages, a great asset to be used as a translation of foreign bird names.
ABA - American Birding Association This site represents an organization that maintains official records of all birds species that have been proven to have been seen inside the perimeters of the North American Continent and the surrounding bodies of water. Regular revised versions are posted to keep the bird list current at all times. This is the list used by all serious birders over their lifetime. You may be aware of the movie called the "Big Year". It was with this list that all the competing birders used in an attempt to set a new record as to how many bird species that could be seen by an individual birder in one calendar year.
I hope you will take advantage of these suggested websites. I have used each of them, in one way or another, throughout the years in my quest to better identify and understand our fine feathered friends.
