Field Marks: 8 in. A large, plump finch of coniferous and mixed coniferous-deciduous forests and second growth; in migration and winter also around residential areas. Unmistakable, with very large conical bill, short black tail, black wings with large white patches. Gregarious. Flocks wander irregularly in winter, depending on availability of food. Feeds heavily on buds and seeds of conifers and maples. Adult males have brown head with yellow forehead and eyebrow; yellow back, rump, and belly; wings black with large white patches; tail black; bill yellow. Adult females grayish with yellow wash; wings and tail black with white markings; bill greenish-yellow. Both sexes show duller bill color in winter. Immatures resemble adults by first winter. Song a short warble; more commonly heard call note a shrill "pe-teer."
Range: Breeds from north-central British Columbia east to Nova Scotia, south to Great Lakes Region and n. New England, in mountains to central California. Winters throughout most of United States.