The Evening Grosbeak, the largest finch species of the northern boreal and montane conifer forests, has an intriguing history behind its population numbers and distribution across North America.

The original range of evening grosbeaks was in the coniferous forests of western North America. ... The first record of evening grosbeak in Maine was an incursion in the winter of 1889-1890.

The evening grosbeak’s stronghold is in western Canada and the western U.S. mountains. ... I have my doubts that box-elder plantings triggered the large-scale range extension.