Watercolor portrait of Pine Grosbeak (Pinicola enucleator)

Pine Grosbeak

Pinicola enucleator
Uncommon Rich warbling whistle

Learn to identify the Pine Grosbeak by ear. Master the "sweet-sweet, tew-tew, too-li-loo" phrase and tell it apart from similar species.

“sweet-sweet, tew-tew, too-li-loo”

What the Pine Grosbeak sounds like

Big, fluffy, and surprisingly gentle, the Pine Grosbeak looks like a robin-sized finch dipped in winter colors. Males glow rosy red or pinkish red, while females and young birds wear soft gray with warm yellow or orange on the head and rump. They often feed calmly in trees, plucking fruit with almost no fuss.

“sweet-sweet, tew-tew, too-li-loo”

How to tell it apart

Listen for:A soft, musical series of clear whistles and gentle warbles. It sounds relaxed and mellow, like a finch taking its time. Often written as “sweet-sweet, tew-tew, too-li-loo”.
Don't confuse with:The Purple Finch — much smaller and slimmer overall.

Where you'll hear it

This is mainly a bird of the boreal forest and northern mountains across North America and Eurasia. In much of the northern U.S., it is an irregular winter visitor that appears some years and barely shows up in others.

Pine Grosbeaks favor spruce, fir, pine, and mixed conifer forests in the far north and in high mountains. In winter, they wander into edges, orchards, towns, and berry-laden trees when food pulls them south.

Summer birds stay in cool northern or high-elevation forests, where they can be quiet and easy to miss. In winter, they sometimes drift south in small flocks and may spend long stretches in one fruiting tree.

Similar species

Purple Finch

Much smaller and slimmer overall.

Evening Grosbeak

Evening Grosbeak is bulkier with a huge pale bill and bold black, white, and yellow pattern.

House Finch

House Finch is noticeably smaller with a longer tail and finer shape.

Pine Grosbeak song FAQ

What does a Pine Grosbeak sound like?
A soft, musical series of clear whistles and gentle warbles. It sounds relaxed and mellow, like a finch taking its time. Listen for the "sweet-sweet, tew-tew, too-li-loo" phrase.
How do I tell a Pine Grosbeak from a Purple Finch by sound?
Purple Finch: Much smaller and slimmer overall.; Purple Finch males look richer raspberry-red and females show a bolder white eyebrow.; Purple Finches usually feed more actively and have a less heavy, bull-necked look..
When is the best time to hear a Pine Grosbeak?
Summer birds stay in cool northern or high-elevation forests, where they can be quiet and easy to miss. In winter, they sometimes drift south in small flocks and may spend long stretches in one fruiting tree.