House finch

Taxonomy

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Aves
• Order: Passeriformes
• Family: Fringillidae
• Genus: Haemorhous
• Species: Haemorhous mexicanus

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Common Names by Region

• North America: House Finch
• Mexico: Gorrión Mexicano
• Hawaii (introduced): Scarlet Finch (occasionally misidentified)

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Description

Physical Characteristics

• Size: 12-16 cm (4.7-6.3 inches) in length
• Weight: 16-27 g (0.56-0.95 oz)
• Wingspan: 20-25 cm (7.9-9.8 inches)

Plumage

• Males: Bright red, orange, or yellow hues on the head, throat, and chest due to carotenoid pigments in their diet. The rest of the body is streaked brown and white.
• Females: No bright coloration; predominantly brown and streaked, with a more muted pattern for camouflage.

Beak & Feet

• Beak: Short, conical, and well-adapted for seed-cracking.
• Feet: Zygodactyl feet with three toes forward and one backward for efficient perching.

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Known Range

Native Range

• Southwestern United States (California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas)
• Mexico

Introduced & Expanded Range

• Eastern North America: Introduced in the 1940s via pet trade escapes in New York. Now widespread across the U.S. and southern Canada.
• Hawaii: Established populations on multiple islands.
• Urban & Suburban Areas: Common in cities, backyards, and agricultural regions due to adaptability.

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Behavior & Ecology

Diet

• Primary Food Sources: Seeds, grains, fruits, and buds.
• Occasional Foods: Insects (especially during breeding season), nectar, and flowers.
• Dietary Adaptations: Their red coloration intensity varies depending on the availability of carotenoid-rich foods (e.g., berries and pigmented seeds).

Vocalizations

• Song: A cheerful, warbling series of short notes and trills.
• Calls: Short “cheep” sounds used for communication within flocks.

Social Structure

• Flocking Behavior: Often found in loose flocks, especially outside of breeding season.
• Mating System: Monogamous, with pair bonds that can last multiple seasons.

Breeding

• Nesting Sites: Trees, shrubs, hanging planters, building ledges, and even vents or other human-made structures.
• Egg Clutch: 2-6 eggs, pale blue or white with speckles.
• Incubation: 12-14 days (female only).
• Fledging: Young leave the nest about 12-19 days after hatching.

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Adaptations & Survival Strategies

• Urban Adaptability: Thrives in human-dominated landscapes, taking advantage of bird feeders and artificial nesting sites.
• Seasonal Movements: Not strongly migratory, but some northern populations may move southward in winter.
• Predator Avoidance: Rapid takeoff flight and cryptic female plumage help evade hawks, cats, and snakes.

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Care Requirements (Captive Considerations)

(Not commonly kept as pets, but relevant for rehabilitation and aviculture.)

• Diet: Requires a diverse seed mix with fresh fruits and greens for optimal health.
• Housing: Large, flight-friendly enclosures with natural perches.
• Social Needs: Highly social, does best in small groups or pairs.
• Common Health Issues: Susceptible to Mycoplasmal conjunctivitis, a bacterial infection that causes swollen, crusted eyes.

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Conservation Status & Threats

• IUCN Red List: Least Concern (LC)
• Major Threats:
  • Habitat loss: Not a significant concern due to adaptability.
  • Disease: Mycoplasmal conjunctivitis outbreaks have affected populations.
  • Predation: Commonly preyed upon by raptors and domestic cats.

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Additional Notes

Special Features

• Color Variation: Some males have yellow or orange plumage instead of red, depending on diet.
• Cultural Impact: A favorite among backyard birdwatchers due to its song and presence at feeders.

Maintenance Level

• Low in Wild: Highly adaptable and self-sufficient.
• Moderate in Captivity: Requires social interaction and a balanced diet.