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House Finch
Haemorhous mexicanus
32.6397, -117.112
Field Notes
Description:
Medium-sized finch with brown-streaked back and wings, and brown-streaked white underparts. Head, throat, and rump are typically pink-red; yellow to orange variants may occur. Tail is relatively long and weakly notched. Female is brown-streaked overall. Bill is short and slightly decurved. Feeds mostly on seeds, takes some insects and fruits. Swift bounding flight.
Habitat:
The Sweetwater Marsh Unit of the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
The San Diego National Wildlife Refuge.
Complex supports habitats as diverse as coastal marshes and uplands, chaparral, coastal sage scrub, oak woodland, freshwater marsh, rare vernal pool wetlands, and the incredible breeding and nesting grounds for a suite of migratory and resident bird species in south San Diego Bay. These refuges help conserve the rich biological diversity and quality of life for which the region is famous.
Notes:
House Finch coloring varies widely, and research shows that most of the variation is caused by diet. All male House Finches have the same potiential for yellow, orange, or red coloration.
In the wild, three carotenoid pigments found in natural foods give House Finches their color. Beta-carotene produces yellow to orange colors, isocryptoxanthin produces orange colors, and echinenone produces red colors.
Yellow House Finches are frequently seen in the southwest and Hawaii where natural foods are low in some of these carotenoids. In the east birds often feed on the high-carotenoid fruits of ornamental plants.
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