This sturdy-looking bird has a large head, short tail, and massive conical bill adapted for seed eating. The male plumage features bold patches of lemon yellow shading into olive, then brown and black, with white secondaries creating a flashy wing-patch easily seen in flight. The male's bill is chalky white in winter, but changes in early spring to a pale green that matches the new growth at the tips of spruce boughs, where they often nest. Many encounters with this species are of individuals heard flying high overhead, leaving the observer with little else to note.

The Evening grosbeak is an uncommon to common year-round resident. It is not an uncommon sight anywhere in Oregon. In general, this species spend the summer in mountainous forests statewide, breeding in the lowlands of the south Willamette Valley. In spring, this grosbeak may be found in significant numbers around towns and cities of western Oregon. Lowland areas in eastern Oregon may also see minor spring incursions and birds can be found in desert oases during fall and spring. It often moves into lowlands in winter.

Hear the song of the Evening grosbeak

Photo by Martyne Reesman, ODFW