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Carpodacus mexicanus

Photo by skiel
Male
Photographed: Orange County, New York, USA.

Identification

L. 5-6" (13-15 cm).

Male

Bright red on crown, breast, and rump

Female

Plain, unstriped head and heavy streaking on light underside

Photo by Alan R
Female House Finch, Honolulu, March 2007

Immature males

Less highly coloured, often orangish or yellowish on head and breast.

Distribution

North America, Canada to southern Mexico

Taxonomy

Polytypic. Consists of twelve subspecies.

Habitat

Deserts, orchards, coastal valleys and forests.

Behaviour

Breeding

A tightly woven, compact nest is made and set in a bush, thicket, natural cavity, or on a building. 3-5 bluish, lightly streaked or spotted eggs are laid.

Diet

Diet includes insects and grass seeds.

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