Haemorhous cassinii
male
In many ways, Cassin’s Finch is the montane counterpart of the Purple Finch. The sexes are dissimilar. Adult males have a reddish-pink crown, throat, breast, and rump. The nape and back are streaked brown, and the subtly darker wings show two pinkish wingbars and pale edges to the flight feathers. The otherwise pale underparts are flushed pink on the flanks and streaked on the flanks and undertail (these are unstreaked in Purple Finch). Adult females and juveniles have streaked brown upperparts, and subtly darker wings showing two pale wingbars. The pale underparts, including the undertail, are marked with fine dark streaks.
Cassin’s Finch is a conifer specialist that is present year-round in much of its western montane range. During the breeding season its range extends farther north and to higher altitudes. Outside the breeding season it forms flocks; harsh winter weather often forces birds to move to lower elevations and latitudes.
female
FACT FILE
LENGTH 6.25 in (16 cm)
FOOD Invertebrates, seeds, and berries
HABITAT Upland conifer forests
STATUS Locally common resident and partial migrant
VOICE Song is a series of warbling whistles. Calls include a soft tch-wu
