The House Finch Mating, Nesting, and Feeding Habits
Initially, the House Finch was a bird of the west, but because of its rosy breast and very melodic song, people wanted to own one.
To supply demand, pet stores in the eastern part of the US were importing this small bird with a redhead from its native home, California.
Once a crackdown on this illegal trade went into effect, shop owners were quick to release the birds into the wild.
Fortunately for the birds and many of us, the House Finch adapted well and is now a common bird in almost every state.
House Finch Song Call
The song of the House Finch is a pleasant, warbling melody comprising of a series of varied notes.
It is delivered by the males during the breeding season to attract mates and establish territories.
The song is often described as cheerful and musical, with a mix of trills, whistles, and short phrases.
Each male has its own unique song, although there can be regional variations as well.
They also have several calls that serve different purposes.
Flight Call: A high-pitched "cheep" or "chirp" sound used during flight or when in motion.
It helps individuals stay in contact with each other while in flight or when moving between feeding areas.
Contact Call: A soft, rapid "chirp" or "tew" sound used for maintaining contact with other finches.
It is often heard when individuals are foraging together or when they want to locate each other within a flock.
Description - Size - Field Marks
I frequently receive emails asking, "What is this brown bird with a redhead?" The most likely answer is a male House Finch.
Male House Finch
He is about 5 1/2 inches long from beak tip to end of tail, with red on the head, upper breast, and flanks. In some regions, the color red may be replaced with yellow or orange.
This difference in coloration is most likely because of the differences in regional diets. Many people think they are seeing a Red-headed Sparrow Bird.
While adult females look similar to sparrows, there is no such thing as a Red Headed Sparrow or Red Headed Wren.
The female has a uniformly brown-streaked head with broad brown streaking on the breast and belly. The under-tail coverts are unstreaked.
Mating Habits - Do House Finches Mate For Life
The term "mate for life" is a bit of a stretch with House Finches, even though some pairs stay together through winter and breed again the following season.
Many find new mates in each breeding season. Some find new mates for second clutches.
An interesting note is that pairs that stay together through winter, nest a little earlier than those that don't.
Courtship Behavior
During courtship, females solicit food from prospective mates. The males either mock feed or regurgitate food in the female's mouth.
As with many songbirds, House Finches are monogamous.
One interesting detail is that the males will defend the female they're mated with and not defend any territory.
Most other birds try to defend both their mate and territory.
Nesting Habits: What the Nest Looks Like
The House Finch nest is cup-shaped and made of twigs, grasses, and leaves. Below is a nest showing one egg inside.
House Finch Nest and Egg
Several nests may be built before the actual nest where the young will be raised is selected.
The breeding season for House Finches can begin in March and go into August, depending on the success of broods.
Although bird watchers may see the male with nesting material, the female builds the actual nest.
| House Finch Nesting Habits | |
|---|---|
| Eggs | 2 - 6 |
| Incubation | 12 - 14 days |
| Nestling Phase | 11- 17 days |
| Broods | 1 - 3 |
Where Do House Finches Nest?
House finches make nests in a range of places, including woodpecker holes, hanging plants, door wreaths, and sometimes birdhouses.
We attached a man-made wooden Barn Swallow nest under the eave of our house and attract a pair every year. See video below.
The nest is located between 5 and 10 feet above the ground.
The female lays 2 to 6 bluish eggs that are finely speckling. Incubation is done by the female and the eggs will hatch in 12 to 14 days.
The young will leave the nest in about 11 to 17 days after hatching.
House Finches can raise 3 broods each season. The most common is 2 broods per year.
They may reuse the nest or use another Finches nest or build a new one using materials from the old nest.
Female House Finch
During incubation and for about five days after the young have hatched, the male will feed the female in the nest.
He does this by regurgitating the seed into the female's beak. The female regurgitates the food to the nestlings.
After the young have fledged, the parents continue to feed the young.
Some females may find a new mate and raise another brood while the first male continues to feed the young.
Some females will begin a second nest just before the first clutch fledges.
The Brown-headed Cowbird often lays its eggs in House Finches nests. When this happens, the eggs may be removed by the Finches or the nest may be abandoned.
Feeding Habits - What is the Best Seed for wild House Finches to Eat
Unlike many other birds who switch their eating habits in spring and summer, Finches are vegetarians all year.
House Finches Feeding Young
Their diet consists of seeds, fruit, and tree buds. Sometimes causing problems for apple growers by damaging the fruit.
Even during the breeding season, these birds regurgitate seeds to their young.
By Keeping Squirrels Off Feeders?
Learn More!
House Finches forage both on the ground and in trees. Bird watchers can easily attract this bird to feeders by offering Black-oil Sunflower, safflower, and nyjer seeds.
Why Attract Finches to Your Yard
As seed eaters, it's beneficial to have these birds around your yard. In summer they can be a real help in keeping weeds seeds down.
Seeds and bird feeders are the starting point. Like most birds, they need a reliable water source for drinking and bathing.
Birdbaths, fountains, or shallow dishes with fresh water can be enticing for them.
Long-term, think about the vegetation around your property. House Finches are drawn to areas with dense shrubs, trees, and other vegetation.
These provide shelter, nesting sites, and a sense of security. Want some tips on how to Attract More Finches to Your Feeders?
A Squirrel Proof feeder is recommended for sunflower seed as squirrels will make off with the seed before the birds have a chance to eat. Check out some of the feeders below for offering nyjer seed.
A Heated Birdbath can be a valuable resource during winter for all your feeder birds.
What does it mean if you see a House Finch?
Not every sighting of every bird has a particular meaning. These birds are pretty common and do not hold any symbolic meaning in most cultures.
However, observing a House Finch in your surroundings can be seen as a positive sign, indicating the presence of nature and wildlife in your area.
Their vibrant colors and cheerful songs can bring joy and a sense of tranquility.
Furthermore, their presence may serve as a reminder of the interconnectedness of ecosystems and the importance of conservation efforts to preserve biodiversity.
How Long Do They Live
The average lifespan of the House Finch is around 5 years. The oldest male and female were 12 years and 10 years, respectively.
Discover the differences between the House Finch vs Purple Finch
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