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House Finch

Carpodacus mexicanusOrder: PASSERIFORMESFamily: Finches (Fringillidae)
House Finch Head Illustration

Head

  • Bill Shape: Cone
  • Eye Color: Deep brown, appearing black except when close, in good light.
  • Head Pattern: Plain, Streaked
  • Crown Color: Red
  • Forehead Color: Red
  • Nape Color: Brown with pale brown streaking.
  • Throat Color: Red with brown streaking.
  • Cere color: No Data
House Finch Body Illustration

Body

  • Length Range: 15 cm (6 in)
  • Weight: 20 g (0.7 oz)
  • Size: Size 2. Small (5 - 9 in)
  • Color: Red, White, Brown
  • Underparts: Buff with brown streaks and red breast.
  • Upperparts: Brown with pale brown streaking.
  • Back Pattern: Striped or streaked
  • Belly Pattern: Striped or streaked
  • Breast Pattern: Solid
House Finch Flight Illustration

Flight

  • Flight Pattern: Swift bounding flight., Alternates several rapid wing beats with brief periods of wings pulled to sides.
  • Wingspan Range: 25 cm (9.75 in)
  • Wing Shape: Rounded-Wings
  • Tail Shape: Squared Tail
  • Tail Pattern: Solid
  • Upper Tail: Dark Brown
  • Under Tail: Dark Brown
  • Leg Color: Gray-brown
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Family Buntings, Finches, Sparrows (Emberizidae)_blue
Species Carpodacus mexicanus
Length6 Inches
Wingspan9.75 Inches

House Finch

House Finch: Medium-sized finch with brown-streaked back and wings, and brown-streaked white underparts. Head, throat, and rump are pink-red. Tail is relatively long and weakly notched. Bill is short and slightly decurved. Feeds mostly on seeds, takes some insects and fruits. Swift bounding flight.

● Song: "zeeeeee"

● Foraging & Feeding: House Finch: Eats mostly seeds, including those from thistle, dandelion, sunflower, and mistletoe, but also buds and fruits; forages on the ground.

● Breeding & nesting: House Finch: Two to six blue eggs with lavender and black spots at large end are laid in a tightly woven, compact nest set in a bush, thicket, natural cavity, or on a building. Nest is built by the female and is made of twigs, grass, leaves, rootlets, bits of debris, and feathers. Incubation ranges from 12 to 14 days and is carried out by the female.

● Similar species: House Finch: Cassin's and Purple finches have streaks on breasts, shorter, notched tails, and different calls. Other female finches have streaked faces and shorter, notched tails.

Flight Pattern

Swift bounding flight., Alternates several rapid wing beats with brief periods of wings pulled to sides.
House Finch Body Illustration
● Range & Habitat: House Finch: Resident throughout the west, from southern Canada to southern Mexico, and east to Nebraska. Introduced to eastern North America, where it is now widespread in cities and residential areas. In the west, preferred habitats include chaparral, deserts, orchards, and suburban areas.
BreedingMonogamous, Solitary nester
PopulationAbundant
MigrationSome migrate
Weight0.7 Ounces