While in Oregon, the Pine grosbeak is tame and not suspicious, usually allowing a close approach as it feeds on buds or dried fruits. The soft-gray females and young males, the latter more or less washed with yellow on the head, far outnumber the rosy males, and observers should look carefully for these duller-colored birds. The song of the Pine grosbeak is often described as similar to the Purple finch, but fuller and with lower pitch. The flight is typically finch-like, but with broad, bounding undulations.

The Pine grosbeak breeds in the Wallowas and is suspected to breed in the Blue Mountains and Cascades. During the summer, they have been observed in small flocks among the spruces, acting like Crossbills or Siskins sitting at the pointed tips of trees to give their beautiful warbling song.

Hear the song of the Pine grosbeak

Photo by Howard Patterson, Flickr