House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)
The House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) is a vibrant songbird native to North America, recognized for its striking rose-coloured plumage. Originally confined to Mexico and the Southern United States, it has expanded its range to Northern US and Canada following the release of captured birds in the early 20th century.
| 🇫🇷 | Roselin familier, Roselin du Mexique |
| 🇩🇪 | Hausgimpel |
| 🇲🇽 | Camachuelo mexicano, Pinzón mexicano, Carpodaco doméstico |
| Taxonomy | |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Fringillidae |
How to Identify
The House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) closely resembles the less common Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus). To distinguish them, observe the male's back: the House Finch has a brown back, unlike the rose-coloured back of the Purple Finch. Notably, the male House Finch displays rose colouring only on its head and breast.
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Characteristics
| Length | 12.5-15cm |
| Weight | 16-27g |
| Wingspan | 20-25cm |
| Clutch Size | 2-6 eggs |
| Incubation | 13-14 days |
| Fledging | 12-15 days |
| Sexual Maturity | 1 year |
| Source | Wikipedia |
Where and When to Spot
During the winter, House Finches are frequently observed on my walks through Park Mont-Royal. They typically gather in small flocks, consisting of both males and females, around various feeding stations. Although they are purported to be resident birds, I have not observed this species from spring to autumn.
Observation Records by Park and Season
| Location | Spring | Summer | Autumn | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jardin Botanique de Montréal | - | - | - | x |
| Parc Angrignon | x | - | - | - |
| Parc Michel-Chartrand | - | - | x | x |
| Parc de la Frayère | x | - | - | - |
"x" indicates the species was observed, while "-" indicates no observation. Lack of observation doesn't necessarily imply that the species is absent. Data is derived from our park visit journals.