Haemorhous mexicanus
male
The House Finch is a familiar little songbird. The sexes are dissimilar. In adult males the forehead, broad supercilium, breast, and rump are bright red. The back, nape, and center of the crown are brown, and the dark brown wings show two white wingbars and pale edges to the flight feathers. The belly and undertail are white with bold streaking on the flanks. Adult females and immatures are gray-brown overall and streaked; the subtly darker wings show two pale wingbars and pale edges to the flight feathers.
Once restricted to the west of the continent, the House Finch is now present year-round across much of central and southern North America. It lives up to its name and is often associated with gardens, where it visits birdfeeders.
female
FACT FILE
LENGTH 6 in (15 cm)
FOOD Invertebrates, seeds, and berries
HABITAT Wide range of wooded habitats, including parks and gardens
STATUS Widespread and common resident
VOICE Song is a series of twittering, chattering phrases ending with a harsh wheert. Call is a shrill whee-ert
