How to Identify Pine Grosbeaks

The Pine Grosbeak is a type of Finch. This fairly common bird can be fairly easy to identify if you know distinct characteristics. Read on to learn how to identify Pine Grosbreaks.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Understand the habitat of Pine Grosbeaks, found throughout Canada and in some parts of the mountains of western North America. They breed in open coniferous forests and can be found in deciduous forests, suburbs or orchards in the winter.

2. Observe the appearance of the Pine Grosbeaks. These birds have long, fan-shaped, blackish-brown colored tails. They also has blackish-brown wings that have two white bars on them. Their bills are dark in color, curved and stubby. Pine Grosbeaks are also said to appear plump with a large chest. Males have a red head, back and chest, while females and juveniles have olive, yellow or russet colored heads, backs and chests.

3. Pay attention to the size of the Pine Grosbeaks. Pine Grosbeaks are large finches that ranges in size from 20 to 25 cm. Pine Grosbeaks weigh approximately 57 g and have a wingspan ranging from 35 to 38 cm.

4. Listen to the song and the call of the Pine Grosbeaks. The call of the Pine Grosbeaks is musical and whistled and sounds like either "pui-pui-pui" or "chee-vli." The song of the Pine Grosbeaks is clear and short and sounds like a musical warble. The song is also said to sometimes resemble a flute.

5. Observe the Pine Grosbeaks in flight. Pine Grosbeaks show rapid wing beats during flight that alternate with times they hold their wings are at their sides.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't confuse the Pine Grosbeaks with the Evening Grosbeaks. Evening Grosbeaks have paler bills and shorter tails than the Pine Grosbeaks.
• Don't confuse the Pine Grosbeaks with the White-winged Crossbills. The White-winged Crossbills have shorter tails than the Pine Grosbeaks. They are also smaller with cross-tipped bills.

Resources

• All About Birds From the Cornell Lab of Ornithology
• Information on Identifying Birds