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Pine Grosbeak
last update: Apr 01, 2009 10:47 AM
Latin name: Pinicola enucleator
Population: 4.4 million individuals
Cites classified: Least Concern
Where found: Circumpolar from northern Scandinavia across Russia to the timberline and in North America from throughout Alaska to the timberline and across Canada to the timberline
Age/ life expectancy: 10 years
Wingspan: 32-37 cm
Length: 18-23 cm
Weight: 50-60 g
Mating/Breeding: Pine Grosbeaks are generally monogamous, and form pairs before they arrive on the breeding grounds. The nest is typically located in dense foliage on a horizontal branch near the trunk of a tree, or in a vertical fork. The female builds the nest, which is a bulky, open cup of twigs and rootlets, lined with fine grass, moss, rootlets, and lichen. She incubates 3 to 5 eggs for 13 to 14 days. The male brings food to the female on the nest. Both members of the pair feed the young, which leave the nest after about 15 days. The young can fly well within a few days of hatching, but continue to beg for food from their parents for some time after fledging. Pairs generally raise one brood each season.
Eggs: 3-5 light blue-green eggs, blotched black
Hibernation: some resident birds, but others are partially migratory with the Eurasian birds migrating to central Scandinavia and the southern Russia tagia and the North American birds migrating to southern Canada and the northern US in the winter
Hunting Habits: forages on the ground or in trees and shrubs, but also can catch insects in the air
Feed on: buds and seeds as well as shoots and berries, but adds invertebrates during the breeding season
Predators: jays, crows, ravens, and squirrels are nest predators while hawks and falcons prey on the adults
Colour/Body: Males are mostly red with gray underparts, black wings, and two white wing-bars. Females are mostly gray with some yellow on their heads and backs. Their wings are black with white wing-bars similar to the males. Both sexes have black tails, and their bills are short and conical. First-year males typically have rusty heads and rumps, but are not as red overall as mature males.
Interesting Trivia:
- A breeding adult Pine Grosbeak develops pouches in the floor of its mouth for carrying food to its young.
- Winter flocks may stay near a tree with abundant fruit until all of it is consumed.
- The tameness and slow-moving behavior of the Pine Grosbeak gave rise to local name in Newfoundland of "mope."
