House Finch

Adult males have a bright red to orange-red forehead, throat, and breast, with brown streaking on the belly. Females and juveniles are overall grayish-brown with blurry, heavy streaking throughout the underparts. Plumage color in males varies based on diet (carotenoids).

Square-tipped tail with a slight notch; heavy brown streaks on the flanks and belly; male's red coloration restricted to face, throat, and rump; thick, curved beak.

Length: 5.1–5.9 in (13–15 cm); Wingspan: 7.9–9.8 in (20–25 cm); Weight: 0.6–0.9 oz (16–27 g)

A long, jumbled, twittering warble that usually ends with a sharp upward or downward slur. Calls include a distinct 'cheep'.

Almost exclusively vegetarian, eating seeds, buds, and fruits. They forage on the ground or in weed patches and trees.

City parks, urban centers, residential backyards, farms, forest edges, and desert grasslands.

Mostly resident (non-migratory), though some individuals in the northernmost parts of the range may move south during harsh winters.

Builds cup-shaped nests in trees, ivy, or on ledges of buildings/porch lights. Lays 2-6 bluish-green spotted eggs. Multiple broods per season are common.

Purple Finch (males are more 'raspberry' tinted and lack heavy belly streaking) and Cassin's Finch (males have a brighter red cap and cleaner bellies).

They are primarily seed-eaters that assist in seed dispersal. They also serve as a prey source for larger birds of prey and domestic cats.

Least Concern (IUCN); population is stable and very large.

Look for them at backyard bird feeders, especially those containing black oil sunflower seeds or nyjer. They are often perched high on trees or utility lines singing loudly.

The eastern population began when a few birds were released from a pet shop in Long Island, NY, where they were being sold illegally as 'Hollywood Finches.'