Common Nesting Birds

meet your neighbors

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House Finch (Carpodacus mexicanus)


Photo © Debbie McKenzie

House Finch

Photo © Sharon Beals, from the collection of the Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology

House Finch nest

Photo © René Corado

House Finch eggs

Photo © René Corado

Adult male

Photo © Martina Nordstrand | Macaulay Library

Female/immature

Photo © Jonathan Irons | Macaulay Library

Adult male

Photo © Matthew Plante | Macaulay Library

Female/immature

Photo © Nic Allen | Macaulay Library

Adult male

Photo © Jay McGowan | Macaulay Library

Adult male

Photo © Matthew Plante | Macaulay Library

Male and female

Photo © Jim Merritt | Macaulay Library

Adult male

Photo © Brad Imhoff | Macaulay Library

Female/immature

Photo © Suzanne Labbé | Macaulay Library

Juvenile

Photo © Mike Stewart | Macaulay Library

Female/immature

Photo © Jay McGowan | Macaulay Library

Adult male

Photo © Lois Stacey | Macaulay Library

Song

© William R. Fish | Macaulay Library

Song

© Jay McGowan | Macaulay Library

Song

© Paul Marvin | Macaulay Library

Song

© Jay McGowan | Macaulay Library

Song

© James (Jim) Holmes | Macaulay Library

Calls

© Bob McGuire | Macaulay Library

Calls

© Jay McGowan | Macaulay Library

Calls

© Paul Marvin | Macaulay Library

Calls

© Lucie R. Gunn | Macaulay Library

Calls

© Gregory Budney | Macaulay Library

When To Look

Source: Birds of the World

Where To Find It

Habitats

desert

open woodland

shrub

town

Substrates

Cliff or Rock

Live Tree Branch

In/On Building

What You'll Find

Nest Type

cup

Chick

Altricial

Clutch Size

2
6

Nest Height

15 ft
10 ft

Nesting Statistics

Incubation Period

13-14
days

Brooding Period

12-19
days

Useful Hints

  • House Finches nest in a variety of deciduous and coniferous trees as well as on cactus and rock ledges.
  • Searching for nest sites is a conspicuous behavior throughout the nesting season. Females appear to do most prospecting, but males follow closely and often re-examine each site searched by the female.
  • House Finches feed their nestlings exclusively plant foods, a fairly rare occurrence in the bird world. Many birds that are vegetarians as adults still feed animal foods to keep their fast-growing young supplied with protein.

Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Cornell Lab of Ornithology