Haemorhous mexicanus
House Finch
The House Finch is a small, sparrow-sized bird with a stout beak and a slightly notched tail. Males display vibrant red on their head, breast, and rump, contrasting with brown-streaked backs and wings.
Females and juveniles lack red coloration and instead show overall brown plumage with streaked underparts. Both sexes have pale wing bars and a slightly curved culmen on their beaks.
Length
12.5cm to 15cm
Wingspan
20cm to 25cm
Weight
16g to 27g
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Originally native to western North America, House Finches have successfully expanded across the continent and can now be found in most of the United States and southern Canada. They thrive in urban and suburban environments, including parks, gardens, and farmlands.
In the eastern U.S., they were introduced in the 1940s and have since become widespread. These adaptable birds are year-round residents in most of their range, with some northern populations showing short-distance migration.
Sea level to 3,000 meters
Temperate, Subtropical
Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.
House Finches are primarily vegetarian, feeding on various seeds, buds, and fruits. They have a particular fondness for sunflower seeds and readily visit bird feeders.
In spring and summer, they supplement their diet with some insects, especially when feeding young.
House Finches are highly social, often seen in flocks at feeders or perched on wires. They exhibit a bouncy flight pattern and are known for their habit of 'billing,' where pairs touch or clasp beaks as a sign of affection. These birds are also frequent bathers, enjoying shallow water sources in gardens and parks.
The House Finch's song is a cheerful, warbling melody that rises and falls in pitch. Males sing throughout the year, with increased frequency during the breeding season. Their call is a sharp 'cheep' or 'wheat,' often given in flight or when alarmed. Flocks communicate with soft, chattering notes.
House Finches form monogamous pairs and begin breeding in spring. Males court females with songs and displays, often offering food as part of the courtship ritual.
Nests are cup-shaped structures made of twigs, grasses, and leaves, typically placed in trees, shrubs, or on man-made structures. Females lay 3-6 pale blue eggs with small black spots.
Incubation lasts about 13-14 days, and it is performed solely by the female. Both parents feed the nestlings, which fledge after 12-15 days. Pairs often produce multiple broods in a season.
years
The House Finch typically lives for 10 to 12 years.
Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.
While the House Finch is not currently of conservation concern, it has faced challenges such as the outbreak of mycoplasmal conjunctivitis in the 1990s. Ongoing monitoring is crucial to detect any population changes. Providing clean feeders and native plants in gardens can support local populations.
Hollywood Finch, Linnet
Your feedback helps us improve our content
No ratings yet - be the first to rate this bird!
Sign in to be the first to review
Join our community to rate birds and share your experiences. Creating an account is completely free and only takes a minute.
Your information is secure and will never be shared.
By creating an account, you agree to our Privacy Policy.
website: BirdLife International. 2018. Haemorhous mexicanus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T22720563A132001810.
View sourcereport, 2017: Breeding Bird Survey and/or Christmas Bird Count
website: Partners in Flight
View source