Pine grosbeak (Pinicola enucleator)

Observation: Dexter area, near the Nome river - on top of tall willow bushes, an adult female Pine grosbeak (Pinicola enucleator) was observed. These birds are not common on the Seward Peninsula during the summer. I am not sure if they've been reported or seen during the middle of winter in January before. Several pine grosbeaks were reported earlier this fall at a feeder approximately 5 miles north of Dexter area. Which is rather unusual not only for the time of the year, but, just seeing the birds up this far north is rare. Surprising to see and hear this finch-type bird singing on New Years Day. Gay Sheffield, UAF Alaska Sea Grant, Marine Advisory Program, MAP-Bering Strait Agent,

Resource:

• More information can be found about Pine Grosbeaks or at

• ID What Bird.

• Find more information about Audubon Alaska and more information about

• E-bird.

• To view larger versions of the Audubon Society image, go to our Flickr page.

Consult: This post was forwarded to Beth Peluso at Audubon Alaska for further consult. Beth writes: "That is an unusual sighting! Pine Grosbeaks are finches that live mainly in the boreal and coastal forests of Alaska, and are found in parts of western Alaska. I looked up Nome sightings on eBird, and there weren't any winter reports, although there were a handful of summer sightings. The nearest winter sightings in the database were in Shageluk and Galena. eBird relies on people reporting sightings so it isn't an exhaustive reference, especially in areas of Alaska where there aren't many observers! It does give a general idea of where species are usually seen though. A good find Gay."