House Finch

The House Finch, Carpodacus mexicanus, is a medium-sized finch.

Adults have a long brown tail and a brown back and wings. In most cases, adult males are red on the forehead, breast and rump with a red patch on the throat; their belly is streaked. Less commonly, the coloration can be orange or yellow instead of red. Adult females have brown upperparts and streaked underparts.

Their breeding habitat is urban and semi-open areas from southern Canada to Mexico. They nest in cavities including openings in buildings, and also on various kinds of vegetation.

These birds are mainly permanent residents; some eastern birds migrate south.

These birds forage on the ground or in vegetation. They mainly eat seeds and berries. They are a frequent visitor to feeders in throughout the year.

Their song is a rapid, cheery warble.

This bird was originally a resident of the southwestern United States. Birds which were brought in illegally as caged birds to New York City were released so that the vendors could avoid prosecution. They spread rapidly and, in areas that are not forested, have displaced the resident Purple Finch.

They were also introduced into Hawaii in 1870.