Grosbeaks are the stars of the Finch family [although other Grosbeak species belong to different families; including, for example, the Cardinals] -- their impressive bills and bold colors make them highly distinctive.
Evening Grosbeak is found year round in the West and in the Northern US and Southern Canada region. In winter, a variable number of Evening Grosbeaks can sometimes be found ranging over much of the US.
The female is a drab version of the male with only a hint of yellow. It was first described scientifically by William Cooper of Cooper's Hawk fame.
This black and white grosbeak with a bright red bib is a songbird of the Eastern US.It sings as good as it looks -- sounding like a more musical American Robin. Unlike Evening Grosbeaks, they are not found in the US in winter; migrating to warmer climes in Central America.
Compared to the male, the female hardly suggests that it belongs to the same species -- lacking any black or red. The brown streaking found sparingly on the flanks in the male, is seen all over the breast in the female.
The Grosbeaks are flamboyant birds spanning taxonomic strata but displaying similar adaptations -- strong bills, stocky bodies, and a preference for seeds. Hartwick Pines State Park, in Northern Michigan, is a prime destination for birders wishing to observe these fascinating species.