House Finch

Adult males have red or orange-red coloration on the head, breast, and rump, with brownish-gray wings and tail, and a streaked belly. Females lack the red color entirely, displaying grayish-brown plumage with prominent brown streaks below and a plain face.

Conical bill, bright red coloration on the head and breast (in males), and heavy streaks on the lower belly and flanks.

Length: 13-14 cm (5.1-5.5 inches), Wingspan: 20-25 cm (7.9-9.8 inches), Weight: 16-27 g (0.6-1.0 oz)

Call is a sharp, musical 'whit' note. The song is a rapid, cheerful, jumbled warble ending in a downward slur.

Primarily vegetarian, feeding on seeds, buds, and berries. They also eat insects occasionally, especially during the breeding season.

Urban and suburban areas, farms, forest edges, chaparral, and deserts. Strongly associated with human habitation.

Generally a permanent resident, though northern populations may make short-distance southward movements in winter.

Builds cup-shaped nests in a wide variety of locations, including trees, cacti, ledges, hanging planters, and building vents. Clutch size is typically 2-6 pale bluish-green eggs with dark spots.

Purple Finch and Cassin's Finch. House Finches are distinguished by a less sharply defined red crown, browner back, and more heavily streaked flanks.

Acts as a seed disperser and a food source for various predators; however, they can occasionally be considered agricultural pests when feeding on fruit crops.

Least Concern, with a stable or increasing population trend.

Easily found at backyard bird feeders offering sunflower seeds or nyjer. Listen for their prolonged, warbling songs delivered from high perches.

The red coloration in male House Finches comes from carotenoid pigments in their diet; brighter red males are often preferred by females during mate selection.