The house finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) is a small songbird native to the western United States and Mexico. However, in the 1940s, some captive house finches were released on Long Island, New York and quickly established breeding populations in the area. Since then, the house finch has spread to become one of the most common backyard birds throughout the eastern United States, including New York. But are house finches truly native to New York, or are they still considered introduced?
The Original Range of House Finches
The house finch naturally occurred only in western North America up until the 1940s. Their original range stretched from southern Canada south through the western United States to Mexico.
Some key facts about the historical range of house finches:
- Native to western Canada, western United States, and Mexico
- Found west of the Great Plains to the Pacific Coast
- Absent from the eastern United States
- Did not occur naturally east of the Great Plains
So during pre-colonial times, house finches were completely absent from the eastern U.S., including all areas east of the Great Plains like New York state. The house finch’s native range lies entirely west of the Great Plains, showing that these birds are not originally native to New York or any other region east of the Mississippi River.
The House Finch’s Introduction to New York
If house finches were not historically found in New York, then how did they end up becoming common backyard birds there?
The house finch was introduced to New York state in the 1940s due to the release of captive birds on Long Island. Specifically:
- In 1939, a pet dealer in New York City sold some captive house finches
- The house finches were released by the buyer on Long Island in 1940
- These birds then established a breeding population centered on Long Island
- They spread rapidly from this introduction throughout the northeast
So the house finch’s presence in New York is entirely due to escaped captive birds. This human-mediated introduction is what allowed house finches to colonize areas of the eastern U.S. far outside their native range.
The house finch’s capability to thrive after introduction to New York can be attributed to certain traits, including:
- Adaptability to human habitats like suburbs and cities
- Ability to move eastward along human development
- Willingness to feed on backyard bird feeders
- Lack of competition from other finch species in the East
The Spread of House Finches Across Eastern North America
After becoming established on Long Island, house finches were able to spread rapidly to colonize the entire eastern U.S. and Canada over just decades.
Some key facts about their spread:
- By 1951, breeding 150 miles from New York City
- Reached Connecticut by the 1950s and Massachusetts by the 1960s
- Spread throughout New England by the 1970s
- Colonized entire northeast U.S. by 1980s and most of eastern North America by late 1990s
So in just 60 years, house finches went from being introduced on Long Island to inhabiting most of the East Coast and becoming one of the most common backyard birds in the region.
Their rapid spread was enabled by:
- Ability to survive cold northern winters
- Adapting readily to human-altered environments
- Moving along suburbs and urban areas
- Reproducing quickly in optimal habitat like suburbs
House Finch Population and Range Today
The house finch today is well-established as a breeding resident across the entire eastern half of North America.
Some key facts about the current status of house finches:
- Permanent breeding population across eastern U.S. and southeast Canada
- One of the most abundant backyard birds nationwide
- Total North American population estimated at over 500 million
- Considered native in the East despite its origins
So in states like New York, house finches are now a common native species, even though they only colonized these areas within the last century.
Across North America, the house finch remains common and widespread in both its native western range and its introduced eastern range:
Are House Finches “Native” to New York?
Based on the background provided, are house finches truly native to New York?
There are arguments on both sides of this question:
Not native:
- Historically completely absent from the eastern U.S.
- Only arrived in 1940s due to man-made introduction
- Colonized New York through human intervention, not natural dispersal
Native:
- Permanent, self-sustaining breeding population in New York for over 70 years
- Part of the natural ecosystem and a common backyard bird
- Range expansion to New York occurred naturally after initial establishment
There is no universally accepted threshold for how long a species must inhabit an area before it is considered “native”. Overall, most modern ornithologists and ecologists would agree that house finches should now be considered native to New York and the eastern U.S, despite their origins.
Some reasons why house finches are treated as native birds today:
- They filled an open ecological niche in the East
- Their populations are self-sustaining, not reliant on releases
- They evolved adaptations to eastern ecosystems
- Most people perceive them as a natural component of eastern bird communities
So while they originated in the West, house finches are ecologically and functionally equivalent to native species in their adopted eastern range.
Conclusion
In summary, house finches are not originally native to New York or anywhere else east of the Great Plains. The species only arrived in New York in the 1940s after captive birds were released on Long Island by pet owners. However, house finches proved adaptable and rapidly colonized all of the eastern United States over the following decades. House finches are now well-established across New York and throughout their expanded eastern range. While not indigenous to these areas, house finches have become entrenched over 70+ years to the point where they are considered native by most biologists and birders. So while not originally native, the house finch can be treated as a naturalized native species in New York and elsewhere in the East based on its long-term occupancy of the region since the mid 20th century.
