Taxonomy/Description

The House Finch is the order Passeriformes, which relates to perching birds or songbirds and the family Fringillidae that contains finches.  The male House Finch is usually confused with the Purple Finch because they both have a red coloration through out their breasts. However, for the House Finch, there is less color on the body of the bird and this color is a brighter red. The House Finch has dark stripes on sides and belly. This species is sexual dichromatic. The easiest way to tell the difference between the Purple and House Finch is between the females. The female House Finch is striped brown, and can be distinguished from the female Purple Finch by the absence of a strong white eyebrow and less distinct striping on its belly.

Habitat/Diet

House Finches were once only found in open and desert regions. In 1940, the House Finch was introduced in eastern North America from western North America. The have spread throughout the continent. They are permanent residents in Western New York. They spend most of their time high in trees in the forest or farm areas, but can be seen in urban settings, like backyard bushes or at feeders.

The House Finch’s diet consists of seeds, berries, fruits, nectar, and plants. They usually feed their chicks the same vegetarian diet. The House Finches get their red color from the pigment in their food and the color of their feathers may change along with their diet.        

Behavior/Reproduction  

House Finches are very social and found together in flocks, but can separate during breeding season. They can be seen in feeders, but most of the time they are found on the ground forging. During breeding season, male and females will sing. However, females stop singing once breeding season is over. As a courtship gesture, males will feed females. Females may choose their mates additionally by how deep red the male's feathers are; the brighter red the better food available in the male's territory.

House Finches usually have a monogamous mating system, but have been known to be polygamous. The female will build the nest and lay 4-5 bluish-white eggs. Incubation lasts for 12-14 days and the young are altricial when born which means they are immobile, naked and helpless. Both sexes will care for the young which will leave the nest 11-19 days after hatching.

Where to see them in WNY

House Finches can be seen near bird feeders, or on the outskirts of forests all year round. Generally they are easy to see in urban areas as well as Tifft Nature Preserve.