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Male and female house finch birds perched on a single branch.

House Finch

House finches are small birds with short, sturdy beaks. Males look like they’ve been dipped headfirst in pink paint, while females are much more subtle in their coloring. They’re frequent visitors at backyard feeders, and it’s always fun to spot their flashes of rosy red as they zip across the sky.
SCIENTIFIC NAME
Haemorhous mexicanus
CLASSIFICATION
Bird
LIFE SPAN
4-10 Years
SIZE
5-6” | .03-.06lbs
STATE CONSERVATION STATUS
  • State Protected
FEDERAL CONSERVATION STATUS
Least Concern
GAME STATUS
Non-Game
GAME TYPE
None
Male house finch bird perched on a branch
Female house finch bird perched on a white fence post.
Male and female house finch birds perched on a single branch.
  1. Washoe
  2. Humboldt
  3. Pershing
  4. Churchill
  5. Mineral
  6. Lyon
  7. Douglas
  8. Carson City
  9. Storey
  1. Elko
  2. Lander
  3. Eureka
  4. White Pine
  1. Esmeralda
  2. Nye
  3. Lincoln
  4. Clark

Habitat & Range

House Finches are found year-round throughout Nevada. They are very well adapted to human development and are often found near buildings and developed areas. Grassland areas, riparian areas, and pinyon juniper forests are their preferred natural areas in the state.

  • Grasslands
  • Pinyon juniper forests
  • Warm desert riparian

Threats

  • Disease
  • Habitat Degradation
  • Predation

House Finches’ thick beaks make them perfect for consuming hard plant materials like seeds and fruits. Cherries, peaches, blackberries, and other fruits are common for them to consume throughout their range. They are a commonly seen feeder bird and are often found around developed areas and neighborhoods. A great backyard find!

These birds make cup nests that can be found in trees, cactus, or even rock ledges. They lay 2-6 eggs and often have multiple broods in a breeding season.

Fun Facts

The reddish coloring in male House Finches comes from their diet, which is mostly plants. Birds cannot make the pigment that produces red colors. House Finches are originally native to the Western United States. All Eastern House Finches are descended from birds that were released in Long Island, New York in 1940.
Male house finch bird perched on a branch