# House Finch (*Haemorhous mexicanus*) House Finches are cheerful little birds with bright colors. They love to sing and can often be seen hopping around backyards and parks. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 340 - **Habitat:** Urban areas, gardens, and parks - **Also known as:** California Finch, Linnet ![House Finch](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426468/objects/4551.jpg) ## Appearance The House Finch is a small, streaky brown bird, with males distinguished by rosy red on their head, breast, and rump. Females lack the red, appearing uniformly streaky brown. They have a relatively short, conical beak and a notched tail. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Fringillidae - **Genus:** Haemorhous ## Interesting facts - House Finches often visit backyard bird feeders, showing little fear of people! - Males with the brightest red feathers are often considered the healthiest and best at finding food! - Originally from western North America, they were accidentally introduced to the East Coast in the 1940s! - They can mimic parts of other birds' songs, mixing them into their own cheerful tunes! ## Special abilities - **Color Signal:** House Finch males can display bright red feathers by eating special pigments, which helps them attract a mate. - **Seed Smasher:** House Finch has a powerful, cone-shaped beak that helps them crack open even the toughest seeds with ease. - **Adaptable Nester:** House Finches can build their nests in many surprising spots, helping them thrive in cities and suburbs. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 12.5-15 cm - **Wingspan:** 20-25 cm - **Weight:** 0.016-0.027 kg - **Lifespan:** 2-7 years - **Speed:** 40 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 2-6 - **Incubation:** 12-14 days ## Diet & Feeding These small birds primarily eat seeds, fruits, and buds, often found in gardens and wild areas. - **Primary Foods:** sunflower seeds, thistle seeds, berries, fruit pulp, leaf buds - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Cooper's Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cooper-s-hawk) (*Accipiter cooperii*) — A common predator in suburban areas. - **Eaten by:** [Domestic Cat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/domestic-cat) (*Felis catus*) — A significant threat to ground-foraging birds. - **Depends on:** Common Sunflower (*Helianthus annuus*) — Feeds on seeds, especially from bird feeders. - **Shelter:** Eastern Red Cedar (*Juniperus virginiana*) — Uses dense foliage for nesting and roosting. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low House Finches are friendly and not dangerous. Just enjoy watching them from a distance! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify House Finch? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is House Finch? 12.5-15 cm ### What is House Finch's wingspan? 20-25 cm ### How much does House Finch weigh? 0.016-0.027 kg ### How long does House Finch live? 2-7 years ### How fast can House Finch move? 40 km/h ### What does House Finch eat? These small birds primarily eat seeds, fruits, and buds, often found in gardens and wild areas. ### Where is House Finch usually found? Urban areas, gardens, and parks ## Where to spot - [Advance Mills](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/advance-mills) — Virginia, US · Neighborhood - [American Baptist College](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/american-baptist-college) — Tennessee, US · Campus - [Arnold Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arnold-arboretum) — Massachusetts, US · Botanical Garden - [Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arrowmont-school-of-arts-and-crafts) — Tennessee, US · Campus - [Atchison Village](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/atchison-village) — California, US · Neighborhood - [Barrio De Analco Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/barrio-de-analco-historic-district) — New Mexico, US · Historic District [View all places to see House Finch](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/house-finch) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [House Finch: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/house-finch)