House finch
Carpodacus mexicanus
Identification Tips:
- 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.