House Finches are originally a western species, but have spread rapidly through the east after release of a few individuals on Long Island, NY in 1940. The red color in the males varies greatly from a subdued shade to a brilliant red; the redder the more popular with the females The ones I have seen this year fall mostly in the brilliant category, so much so that at first I thought there was something wrong with my glasses.
They are fond of feeding stations. When I come outside in the morning a flock of them is already waiting on a nearby tree, and once they settle down, make short shrift of it, unless interrupted by a Blue Jay.
It's getting cold and starting to snow...
To participate in World Bird Wednesday click on the White-throated Sparrow thumbnail on the upper right. It's easy and fun! The show is run by Springman of The Pine River Review
Thanks for stopping by. Please leave a comment, and have a happy New Year!
Great shots of a colourful bird. The male's raspberry red is a fascinating colour and you have depicted it well.
ReplyDeleteAt one time they were almost as numerous as House Sparrows, then poof, and I see very little of them.
ReplyDeleteSweet! I rarely see them, but we do live in the woods in a very rural area. You got the color really well, not always as easy as it might look. THIS, I know! Nice job!
ReplyDeleteLovely little birds well captured.The colours are so vivid. Best wishes for 2011
ReplyDeleteWe have those here too-- your captures are awesome!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos Hilke! I am surprised how beautiful they are this year. Hope your staying warm this Winter! ;-)WBW
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you too. We have so many of the House Finches, and they sure do brighten up the day.
ReplyDeleteB.
Beautiful colours on these little finches. They'd really brighten a dull winters day.
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy seeing these guys at my feeders...and I catch the ones that get the conjuctivitis and we are able to treat them very successfully and release them within a few days--of course there is no cure but, one has to do what one can! To date I guess I helped more than 30 birds regain their eyesight!
ReplyDeleteThese are gorgeous! I don't know if I've seen them before.
ReplyDeleteRegarding your comment: yes, sometimes it's hard not to interfere with nature... The worst situation I've witnessed took place at the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania: a big buffalo was deeply stuck in the mud of a swamp, there was no way he could get out and some carnivorous mammals were already around just waiting for the mud to dry to be able to reach him. We insistently questioned our guide in order to help the poor buffalo but he firmly said we don't belong there and simply have to let nature takes its course. I understand this but it was awful anyway and I will never forget it.
That red in the House Finch fascinates me. House Finch sounds probably too much like House Sparrow and they are all brownish and that's why I'm always surprised by that beautiful red.
ReplyDeleteNice photos in your recent posts, Hilke. Glad the redpolls found your neighborhood. apparently they are moving south quickly and in numbers. Thanks also, and congrats, on weighing in on the sparrow IDs - there has been a lot of traffic around those posts, but not a lot of daring. You've got it!
ReplyDeleteGreetings from rain soaked Southern California.
ReplyDeleteI added myself to follow your blog. You are more than welcome to visit mine and become a follower if you want to :-)
May God bless you and your family in 2011 ~Ron
And always remember... Smiles don't have to be saved for a rainy day. It's good to waste them :-)
they look frozen. It is a hard winter for them now. Great shots. :)
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year From Southern California.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget to watch the 122nd Rose Parade on New Year's Day coming from Pasadena, California...only 30 miles from The Old Geezer's home :-) If you miss the live telecast, I'm sure there will be lots of reruns through out the day.
No matter what looms ahead, if you can eat today, enjoy today, mix good cheer with friends today enjoy it and bless God for it. ~Henry Ward Beecher
May God Bless and Protect You in the Year to Come. ~Ron
Happy New Year! Look forward to more posts from you.
ReplyDeleteWe get the purple finches out in the woods here but I believe I have seen these in town. Nice photos.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful House Finches Hilke! You are right about the female of species preferring the reddest of the males for breeding. Their color variations are derived from the food they eat. Presumably the reddest males would have access to the best food and therefore be most likely to produce the best offspring with highest chance of survival.
ReplyDeleteReally lovely!
ReplyDeleteThey are so beautiful, especially puffed up against the cold :-)
ReplyDeleteI didn't know the color part, or the male female thing :-D
Gorgeous shots Hilke! A bird that I would love to see! Happy new year!
ReplyDeleteExcellent. Bedst wishes for 2011
ReplyDelete