Field Guide for all the Birds of North America
House Finch
Roselin familier
Haemorhous mexicanus
Information, images and range maps on over 1,000 birds of North America, including sub-species, vagrants, introduced birds and possibilities
Species: The House Finch (Carpodacus mexicanus) is a native bird to western North America and into Mexico and Central America. It was introduced into a New York city park in the 1940's. Today, this finch species is one of the most populous birds on the continent, covering a very large area of North America. It is not uncommon to see different variants in the colours of House Finches, yellow and orange coloured House Finch are seen, especially in the western regions.
Distinctions: Sexually dimorphic, the male has a brown crown and auriculars, wings and mantle. A red face and breast, with streaking on flanks and mantle. The female is mostly brown overall, with strong streaks on flanks and mantle. Juvenile is similar to the female in size and appearance.
Voice: Repeated four note lyrics, songs are very pleasant to listen to. Female also sings but with a shorter lyrics.
Nesting: Four to five light coloured blue eggs, with black spots. Nest can be in trees, shrubs, ledges or shelves, these finches are comfortable around people and dwellings.
Life, Habitat and Pictures of North American Finches
| B L | W W | W | Family | Latin Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6" 15.2cm | 9.5" 24.1cm | 0.75oz 21.3g | Fringillidae | Haemorhous mexicanus |
North American Bird Calls
- Tap to hear Choice 1
- Tap to hear Choice 2
- Summer
- Year Around
- Winter
Distribution: Very widespread, seen from Nova Scotia to the Yukon, down into California and farther south, across to Florida, covering most of Mexico and into Central America. Although these finches do not necessarily migrate, they may disperse to a warmer area in the winter months.
References to Other Bird Sites:
Avibase - the world bird database This site provides the user with a complete list of bird species, broken down per country, or in the example of the US or Canada, per state and province. Here, bird species names are available in other languages, a great asset to be used as a translation of foreign bird names.
ABA - American Birding Association This site represents an organization that maintains official records of all birds species that have been proven to have been seen inside the perimeters of the North American Continent and the surrounding bodies of water. Regular revised versions are posted to keep the bird list current at all times. This is the list used by all serious birders over their lifetime. You may be aware of the movie called the "Big Year". It was with this list that all the competing birders used in an attempt to set a new record as to how many bird species that could be seen by an individual birder in one calendar year.
I hope you will take advantage of these suggested websites. I have used each of them, in one way or another, throughout the years in my quest to better identify and understand our fine feathered friends.
