Marin County
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Perching Birds |
House Finch Carpodacus mexicanus
Description ADULT MALE Typically has bright red breast, rump, forehead, and supercilium; center of crown, nape, and back are brown and dark wing has two white wing bars and pale edges to flight feathers. Belly and rest of underparts are mostly white, with clear demarcation from red breast, and bold streaks on flanks. Some birds have an orange tone to breast. ADULT FEMALE Has gray-brown plumage, streaked above and below, with two pale wing bars and pale edges to flight feathers. JUVENILE Similar to adult female.
Dimensions Length: 5-6" (13-15 cm)
Habitat Formerly found only in west, now widespread throughout in lightly wooded habitats, parks, and gardens.
Observation Tips Hard to miss.
Range Rocky Mountains, Mid-Atlantic, California, New England, Southwest, Northwest, Great Lakes, Southeast, Florida, Texas, Eastern Canada, Plains, Western Canada
Voice Song is a series of rich, chattering phrases; call is a shrill whee'ert.
Discussion Aptly-named: often found near dwellings and visits garden bird feeders. Could be confused with Purple Finch, but note its stubby bill with curved culmen (conical and straightish in Purple), male's brown cheeks and streaked flanks, and female's rather plain face. Sexes are dissimilar.
