WhenToBird

2 grosbeak species in New York

When Do Grosbeaks Arrive in New York?

Adult male Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Photo: Nancy Overholtz, CC BY-SA 4.0 via iNaturalist

Rose-breasted Grosbeaks reach New York in mid April, are common by late April, peak in the second week of May (22% of checklists), and most are gone by late September. They are by far the most reported grosbeaks in New York.

When to look

First arrivalsApr 15-21mid April
Common byApr 22-30late April
PeakMay 8-14the second week of May
Most gone bySep 22-30late September

Best: the second week of May. First arrivals mid April; most are gone by late September. Peak: on about 22% of New York checklists.

  1. Jannot usually seen
  2. Febnot usually seen
  3. Marnot usually seen
  4. Apruncommon
  5. Maypeak season
  6. Juncommon
  7. Julcommon
  8. Auguncommon
  9. Sepcommon
  10. Octuncommon
  11. Novnot usually seen
  12. Decnot usually seen

Darker months: more checklists report it. Outlined: peak month.

Grosbeaks in New York, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Rose-breasted GrosbeakApr 15-21Apr 22-30May 8-14Sep 22-3022%
Evening GrosbeakOct 15-21Oct 15-21Nov 8-14May 8-141.2%
0%10%20%30%Rose-breasted GrosbeakEvening GrosbeakJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
  • Rose-breasted Grosbeak
  • Evening Grosbeak
Share of complete checklists reporting each species, by week (4 per month). Gaps: fewer than 10 checklists that week.

Frequency is the share of complete checklists in New York that listed the bird, 2016–2025. It is not a head count, and it follows where and when people go birding. How to read it.

Where in New York

Best counties for Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Dutchess CountyBest the second week of May · 3101 checklists that week, 76,123 in all40%
  2. Tioga CountyBest mid May · 685 checklists that week, 21,713 in all40%
  3. Columbia CountyBest the second week of May · 1186 checklists that week, 28,454 in all39%
  4. St. Lawrence CountyBest mid May · 962 checklists that week, 32,234 in all38%
  5. Schuyler CountyBest the second week of May · 518 checklists that week, 12,381 in all37%
  6. Cortland CountyBest mid May · 358 checklists that week, 10,206 in all36%

Common questions

When do grosbeaks arrive in New York?
Rose-breasted Grosbeaks reach New York in mid April, are common by late April, peak in the second week of May (22% of checklists), and most are gone by late September. They are by far the most reported grosbeaks in New York.
When do grosbeaks leave New York?
Most Rose-breasted Grosbeaks have left New York by late September, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until the second week of October.
When is the best time to see grosbeaks in New York?
The Rose-breasted Grosbeak is reported most often in the second week of May, on about 22% of New York checklists.
Which grosbeaks are in New York?
Rose-breasted Grosbeak and Evening Grosbeak are reported regularly; the Rose-breasted Grosbeak is the most common.