With a year-round range that covers most of the continental US, the House Finch is a bird that we see plenty of here in Aldea everyday. Flocks of House Finches frequently gather in Aldea’s arroyos to chatter and sing. A great time to listen is on early winter weekend mornings as there is no other sound (no vehicles, no people)—just birds singing. Really enjoyable to hear and observe after a fresh snowfall.
Males have the pink-red head, throat and rump. Females lack the red plumage. Many birders here have trouble identifying House Finches versus Cassin’s Finches. This winter I have not seen any Cassin’s Finches in our part of Aldea.
House Finches are less flamboyant to me and Cassin’s Finches have an added red “mohawk” spike on top of their heads. The first time I saw that difference was my “aha” moment in terms of identification between the two similar-looking species.
No-mess seed cylinders with plenty of shelled sunflower seeds attract finches readily. They also like the small, shallow dishes of water we put out for drinking and bathing. I make sure that hygiene is a top priority with feeders and water dishes for the finches as they are prone to spread chronic infections. Fresh water everyday is the rule. Feeders and birdbaths are disinfected once a week as recommended by NM Game and Fish biologists.
Last summer the House Finches built two nests in the backyard. Both in Ponderosa Pine trees. Sadly, a Brown-headed Cowbird destroyed one nest while adding its own eggs to the nest, and the other nest fell apart in a late April or early May snow storm. I have spoken to other birders and they have said that House Finches do not always build the most sturdy nests.
A group of House Finches are collectively known as a “development” of finches.
Views of male and female House Finches. Click on photos to enlarge.
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