In summer the Pine Grosbeak can be found in the mountains and along the extreme northern border of the Province. In winter, this thick-billed bird can be found anywhere in Alberta.
Pine Grosbeaks breed in coniferous and mixed forests. In winter they will be found wherever there is food and shelter, favoring yards with generously stocked platform feeders.
This big finch forages high and low for seeds including those of conifers, maples, ashes, and herbaceous plants. In winter, fruit from ornamental trees or shrubs such as crabapples might be sampled. At feeders, sunflower seeds are the hands down favorite.
The nest is a hodgepodge affair of twigs, rootlets, mosses, grasses and lichen and lined with softer materials constructed in a shrub or tree. Two to six eggs are incubated for 13 to 15 days. Young are ready to try their wings 13 to 20 days later.
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Where to find Pine Grosbeaks in Alberta
Pine Grosbeaks are normally quite common in the Weaselhead/Glenmore Park area during winter months and absent during fair weather months. However, their numbers do fluctuate and some winters see few birds if any. Watch for these birds in stands of Trembling Aspen throughout the park beginning in late November. Do not expect to see them once the weather turns warm in the spring. Brent Johner
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SHAUNEEN O'BRIEN
for serving as the TALK ABOUT WILDLIFE Administrator this year
BRENT JOHNER
for serving 9 consecutive years on the society's Board