house finch (Carpodacus mexicanus)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONFIRMATION STATUS: Confirmed.

 

IDENTIFICATION:

• Length: 5.25 inches

• Conical bill

• Long tail

• Distinctive call note often given in flight

Male:

• Red forehead, supercilium, breast and rump

• Streaked belly and undertail coverts

• Brown wings and tail

• Immature male resembles female

Female:

• Plainer face than purple and Cassin's finch

• Heavily streaked underparts

• Brown upperparts

Similar species:

The male house finch can be told from Cassin's and purple finches by
its streaked belly, browner back and nape, longer unforked tail and
different call notes. Female house finches have much plainer faces
than the other finches. Pine siskins are smaller with yellow patches
in the wings and tail. Sparrows typically have more distinctive face
patterns.

 

LIFE HISTORY
Migration Status: Short distance migrant
Breeding Habitat: Urban
Nest Location: Mid-story/canopy nesting
Nest Type: Open-cup
Clutch Size: 2-6
Length of Incubation: 12-14 days
Days to Fledge: 11-19
Number of Broods: 1-3
Diet: Almost exclusively seeds; lesser quantities of insects

 

SKY MEADOWS DISTRIBUTION/SEASONAL OCCURRENCE

 

Relative abundance and seasonal occurrence are indicated in red below.

 

Relative abundance
     C - Common: Likely to be present in good numbers in appropriate habitat and season.
     U - Uncommon: May be present in appropriate habitat and season, often in low
            numbers.
     O - Occassional: Found in appropriate habitat perhaps only a few times per season,
            sometimes low numbers.
     R - Rare: May not be recorded every year.
     Acc - Accidental: Recorded once or twice, may not be expected again for a long time.

 

Seasonal Occurrence
      Sp - Spring: March, April, May U
      Su - Summer: June, July, August U
      Fall: September, October, November U

      Winter: December, January, February U

 

 

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