House Finch
(Carpodacus mexicanus) Y |
 |
RANGE: Breeds in disjunct distribution throughout
most of the western United States, south into Texas and Mexico,
and in the northeastern part of the United States, north of the
Carolinas, into New England. Winters throughout the breeding
range in the west and south into the Appalachian Mountains.
STATUS: Abundant. Expanding range in the East.
HABITAT: Inhabits rural, suburban, and urban yards, parks,
farms, and open woodlands, as well as wooded areas with large
openings, chaparral, and arid shrublands. Strongest
nesting habitat association in urban and residential areas.
NEST: Builds nests in a variety of sites, including tree
cavities, and in dense outer foliage of trees and shrubs. In the
East, generally chooses conifers, locating nest about 20 feet
above the ground. Usually constructs nest with a variety of
local grass and other available vegetation.
FOOD: Forages on the ground for a variety of vegetative
material, including seeds and fruits. Also forages in domestic
fruit trees, sometimes doing considerable damage. Consumes
widely varying kinds of foods, depending on local availability;
includes some insects.
REFERENCES: Adamus et al. 2001, DeGraff et al. 1980, Evenden
1957, Miller 1999, Shunk 2004, Terres 1980. |
