Meet the Humble (but Adorable) House Finch
Updated: Nov. 16, 2021
Learn how to identify and attract a house finch. Find out facts about the house finch nest, eggs, range, habitat and song.
House Finch Facts
A western species until the 1940s, the house finch was introduced to the east by an unethical pet dealer, where they quickly spread to all eastern states. They are now a commonly sighted backyard bird.
Scientific Name: Haemorhous mexicanus
Family: Finch
Learn how to attract more goldfinches to your backyard.
What Do House Finches Look Like?
Length: 5-3/4 inches.
Wingspan: 9-1/2 inches.
Distinctive Markings: Male has reddish forehead, breast and rump; a female house finch is streaked gray and brown above, with a lighter underside. Both sexes have brown-streaked bellies.
House finch vs purple finch: How to tell the difference.
What Do House Finches Eat?
Their diet mainly consists of seeds, berries and weeds. Attract them to your backyard bird feeders with nyjer, sunflower seed, mixed birdseed, peanuts, fruit, suet and sugar water.
Check out the best finch feeders to serve thistle seed.
Nest and Eggs
Their nest is a cup made of natural materials, string and feathers on tree branches or manmade structures; the nest holds four to five spotted bluish-white eggs.
Check out 20 super pretty pictures of finches.
House Finch Song
Listen to the house finch’s song. This species makes a varied warble sound, often ending in a long “veeerrr.”
Bird songs provided by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
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Range Map
Learn where to spot house finches! Look for them in woodlands, parks, residential areas, farms, deserts across much of the United States year-round.
Range maps provided by Kaufman Field Guides, the official field guide of Birds & Blooms.
Next, learn how to attract and identify purple finches.
Originally Published: November 15, 2021
