House Finches are the most common birds in my yard. They love to nest in the hanging flower baskets on my front porch and were the first birds to show up when I hung Hummingbird feeders early in the spring. The House Finches like every type of feed and feeder I've put up, starting with the sugar water in the Hummingbird feeder and then moving on to the black Sunflower seeds and the Thistle seeds.

"Peterson Field Guides Eastern Birds" by Roger Tory Peterson, describes the House Finch as follows:

House Finch: Carpodacus mexicanus 5 - 5 3/4" (13 - 14 cm) This recent addition to our eastern avifauna is often mistaken for the Purple Finch, with which it may associate at the feeding tray. It is smaller; male brighter red. Note the dark stripes on the sides and belly. The striped brown female is distinguished from the female Purple Finch by its smaller bill and bland face pattern (no heavy mustache or dark cheek patch).

Voice: Song, bright, but loose and disjointed; frequently ends in a harsh nasal wheer or che-urr. Notes, finchlike; some suggest House Sparrow's, but more musical.

Range: W. U.S. to s. Mexico. Introduced in ne. U.S. about 1940; spreading. Habitat: Cities, suburbs, farms.

The House Finche is a gregarious little fellow. Listen here to the song he sings. (Sounds courtesy of 'The Sonds of Nature' by Doug Von Gausig.)


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