January
15, 2009 - We couldn't
resist this pose of a house finch sitting at his favorite
establishment (enlarge to see where he is). He settled here
while he waited for us to fill the feeders and get back in
the house where we belonged. It was too chilly for all
of us. All the finch mix, nyjer and sunflower seed feeders
are full. Eat hearty- it's almost time for bed, or maybe you
refer to it as time for perch.
Formerly the house finch lived only in the Western part of the US and
Mexico. In the 1940's a few of these pretty birds were sent to New
York City to be sold in pet stores. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of
1918 made it illegal to cage and sell migratory birds. In order to avoid
persecution and fines for selling what they were calling "Hollywood
Finches", the house finches were quickly and secretly released on Long
Island. They have adapted well and now all of the present
day Eastern house
finches have descended from these few.
It is said that the house finch is often the most common bird found
at feeders. In our backyard the goldfinches are the first and last to
feed. The house finches and purple finches are often welcome
guests too. It seems finches come to the feeders in crowds.
Safety in numbers or just hate eating alone?
According to one source, the house finch will drink from a
hummingbird feeder. Although we have one equipped with perches, we
have never seen a house finch drink at a nectar bar. Their
favorite eating establishments are feeders whose house specialty is
sunflower or regular finch seed mix. To vary their feeder diets, they
are also seen hanging around feed sacks for the Nyjer seeds.
These perky little birds may be year-round in our area according to
the bird books, but they seem to be seeking their fortune
elsewhere for the moment. We haven't spotted one since their
babies were introduced to our feeders several weeks ago. Maybe they're on an
early leaf peeping tour with the kids? Hurry back before the snow
flies.
Mid October brought the gang back. This was just in time for peak
colored leaf turning in our own backyard, and thus actually beating the
first snow by 10 days. Well done!
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Size:
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Length: 5-6 in
Weight: .75 oz
Wingspan: 9.5 in
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ID:
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Male: Bright red face, breast and rump; brownish cap; brown
upper back with paler stripes; heavily streaked flanks and
belly; squared tail; beak short, gray and conical; grayish brown
feet anisodactylous (three toes point forward and one toe points
backward)
Female and Juvenile: Heavily streaked underparts; grayish brown
indistinct facial patterning
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Habitat:
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Open woodland, grasslands, thorny scrub vegetation, farms,
and backyards with trees and feeders
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Diet:
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Seeds (sunflower, nyjer), insects, berries.
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Family Behavior:
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Mating Habits: Monogamous and solitary; 2 broods per year;
females will choose the reddest male
Nests: Built in trees, cavities, old nest, especially in
conifers and ornamental shrubs; open cup shape of twigs, grass,
feathers and debris; female builds
Eggs: 4-5 pale bluish green with sparingly dotted black; female
incubates 12-14 days (fed by the male)
Nestlings: Born altricial (helpless, naked, eyes closed) and
stay in nest 11-19 days; fed by both parents
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Social Activities:
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Forages and visits feeders with small flock; very social bird
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Range:
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Year-round resident in most of the United States, Mexico and
southern Canada
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Vocalization:
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Cheerful, disjointed, warbling song ending with harsh, nasal
"wheer"; both male and female sing
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Lifespan: |
Up to 12 years |
