What Is a Finch?
Finches are small songbirds known for short, conical bills that are well suited for cracking seeds. The true finches belong to the family Fringillidae and include goldfinches, House Finches, Purple Finches, siskins, redpolls, crossbills, and a few others. Most are social, and many are cheerful singers.
The word “finch” is used more loosely in some places. For example, Zebra Finches, common in the pet trade, come from Australia and belong to a different family, the estrildid finches. If you are reading a pet care guide, the species it describes is often not the same kind of bird you see at a backyard feeder.
Quick Facts
- Finches are small, with many species under about 6 inches long.
- They eat mostly seeds, along with buds, berries, and some insects.
- Many travel in flocks, especially outside the breeding season. A group of goldfinches is sometimes called a “charm.”
- Males of several species, such as the House Finch, get their red, orange, or yellow color from pigments in their diet, so their brightness can vary from bird to bird.
- Finches have a bouncy, undulating flight and often call as they fly.
Common Backyard Finches
American Goldfinch
Breeding males are bright lemon-yellow with a black forehead and black wings. In winter they molt to a duller, olive-brown plumage. Goldfinches nest later than most songbirds, often in mid to late summer, when thistle and other seed plants are available.
House Finch
Males have a red head and breast with a streaky brown belly and back; females are plain brown and streaky. House Finches are native to the western U.S. and Mexico. They were released on Long Island, New York, in the 1940s and spread through the eastern U.S. They are common at feeders and often nest in hanging planters and building ledges.
Purple Finch
Purple Finches look like a sparrow dipped in raspberry juice. Males have a rosy-red wash over the head, breast, and back; females are brown and heavily streaked with a bold white eyebrow. They are less often seen than House Finches and tend to favor wooded areas.
Other Finches to Watch For
- Pine Siskin: a streaky, brown finch with yellow flashes on the wings and tail.
- Lesser Goldfinch: a small western goldfinch with a black cap and green or black back.
- Evening Grosbeak: a large, chunky finch with a heavy pale bill, seen in some winters.
- Common Redpoll: a small northern finch with a red forehead, sometimes reaching the northern U.S. in winter.
What Finches Eat
Finches favor small seeds. In a backyard, these are the most commonly used foods:
- Nyjer (thistle) seed: a favorite of goldfinches, siskins, and redpolls, often offered in a tube feeder with small ports or a mesh sock.
- Black oil sunflower seed: accepted by House Finches, Purple Finches, and goldfinches.
- Hulled sunflower: easy to eat, but spoils faster when wet.
Native plants such as coneflowers, sunflowers, and asters give finches natural seed in late summer and fall. Leaving some seed heads standing is a simple way to help them.
Habits, Nesting, and Migration
Finches usually build cup-shaped nests in trees or shrubs. House Finches are often described as socially monogamous, with a pair raising young together in a season, though bird behavior can vary and some pairs may split after a season.
Migration varies by species. American Goldfinches shift south in winter, though many stay in the northern U.S. House Finches are mostly year-round residents, especially in the East. Purple Finches are partial migrants, meaning some travel south in winter while others stay put. Winter finches such as Pine Siskins, redpolls, and Evening Grosbeaks are irruptive, meaning their numbers move south in some years when food supplies run low in the north.
Red Finches
If you are looking for a small bird with a red head and chest, the likeliest candidate in much of the U.S. is a male House Finch. Purple Finches have a rosier, more evenly washed look, and in the West, Cassin’s Finch is another possibility. A male Northern Cardinal is far larger and fully red with a crest. For a broader look at the brown, streaky birds that finches get confused with, see our guide to Midwest sparrows.
Keeping Finches Healthy at Feeders
House Finches are known to be affected by an eye disease (house finch conjunctivitis) that can spread at feeders. To lower the risk:
- Clean feeders regularly with a diluted bleach solution, rinse well, and let them dry.
- Avoid letting seed get wet or moldy.
- Space feeders out and consider taking them down temporarily if you see sick birds with swollen, crusty eyes.
FAQ
Can finch birds fly?
Yes. Wild finches are strong, agile flyers, and they often move in flocks with a bouncy, wave-like flight pattern. Some pet finches, like Zebra Finches, tend to hop and make short flights in smaller spaces.
What is the name for a small bird with a red head and chest?
In many areas it is a male House Finch. Other possibilities include the Purple Finch and, in the West, Cassin’s Finch.
Do Purple Finches migrate?
Many do, at least partly. Some move south for winter while others remain, depending on food supply and region.
Are House Finches monogamous?
They generally form pairs that raise young together during a nesting season, so they are considered socially monogamous.