Yes, there are several species of finches that can be found in the Canadian province of Alberta. Some of the most common finch species seen in Alberta include the American Goldfinch, Pine Siskin, Purple Finch, House Finch, and Common Redpoll.
What types of finches live in Alberta?
Here are some of the main finch species found in Alberta:
American Goldfinch
The American Goldfinch is one of the most recognizable and commonly seen finches in Alberta. They have bright yellow body plumage and black wings with white markings. Goldfinches make a distinctive “potato chip” call and are often spotted in weedy fields or near thistle feeders. They are year-round residents in most of Alberta.
Pine Siskin
Pine Siskins are small brown finches with streaky plumage. They have a forked tail and pointed wings. Pine Siskins are common year-round residents of Alberta, especially in coniferous forests. They have a buzzy, irregular flight call. Pine Siskins often visit feeders for small seeds.
Purple Finch
The Purple Finch has raspberry-colored plumage on its head and breast. The rest of its body is more brownish. Purple Finches breed in the northern Boreal forests of Alberta and may migrate south in winter when food becomes scarce. They have a warbling and whirling song.
House Finch
Native to the western United States, House Finches were introduced to the Eastern provinces and have expanded their range westward into Alberta. Male House Finches have red heads and breasts that can range from pale orange to a deep crimson color. They are adaptable birds found in both rural and urban areas.
Common Redpoll
Common Redpolls are small, energetic finches with red caps and black chins. They breed in the Arctic but irregularly irrupt southward in winter, sometimes in large numbers. Redpolls have a buzzy “chitting” call. Large flocks will descend on bird feeders to eat nyjer seeds.
How many species of finches are there in Alberta?
There are around 10 regular finch species that occur in Alberta. This includes both year-round resident finches, as well as migratory species that breed in Alberta during the summer or pass through the province on migration in spring and fall.
Here is a quick list of the finch species regularly found in Alberta:
- American Goldfinch
- Pine Siskin
- Purple Finch
- House Finch
- Common Redpoll
- Cassin’s Finch
- Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch
- Brown-capped Rosy-Finch
- Evening Grosbeak
- White-winged Crossbill
There are a few additional vagrant finch species, such as the Hoary Redpoll and Eurasian Siskin, that may rarely be spotted in the province as well.
Which finches are most common?
The most numerous and frequently observed finches in Alberta are:
- American Goldfinch
- Pine Siskin
- House Finch
- Common Redpoll
These four finch species can be found across the entire province and are familiar backyard birds at feeders. American Goldfinches in particular are practically ubiquitous in summer when the males are in their bright yellow breeding plumage.
Where in Alberta are finches found?
Finches occupy a variety of habitats in Alberta depending on the species. Here is an overview of where some of the major finch species can be found across the province:
American Goldfinch
Goldfinches occur in open areas across most of Alberta including parks, farms, meadows, roadsides, and backyards. They build their nests in shrubs and small trees.
Pine Siskin
Pine Siskins are common in coniferous forests across Alberta. They also visit backyard feeders in winter. Siskins nest high up in conifer trees like spruce and pine.
Purple Finch
Purple Finches breed in the northern boreal forest and aspen parkland regions of Alberta. They nest in conifers. During winter they may roam more widely through the province.
House Finch
House Finches occur in both rural and urban areas across southern Alberta including towns, suburbs, and farms. They nest in cavities in buildings or trees.
Common Redpoll
Redpolls breed in the Arctic but descend into northern and central Alberta in winter. They can be found in weedy fields, along roadsides, and at feeders when food is scarce farther north.
What is the range of finches in Alberta?
Different finch species have varying breeding and wintering ranges across Alberta. Here is a table summarizing the general ranges of Alberta’s major finch species throughout the year:
| Finch Species | Breeding Range | Wintering Range |
|---|---|---|
| American Goldfinch | Found across Alberta | Found across Alberta |
| Pine Siskin | Northern and central Alberta | Most of Alberta |
| Purple Finch | Northern Alberta | May withdraw somewhat south |
| House Finch | Central and southern Alberta | Found across Alberta |
| Common Redpoll | Arctic regions | Northern and central Alberta |
As this table shows, finches like the American Goldfinch and House Finch remain in Alberta year-round. Others like the Purple Finch and Common Redpoll migrate into northern Alberta to breed in summer but may shift their range southward in winter.
What habitats do finches prefer in Alberta?
The different finch species found in Alberta occupy various habitat types. Here is a quick overview of preferred finch habitats in the province:
- American Goldfinch – Open areas with seed-bearing plants, including fields, meadows, floodplains, farms, urban parks, and backyards
- Pine Siskin – Mature coniferous forests with spruce, pine, hemlock, etc. Also visit backyards
- Purple Finch – Coniferous and mixedwood forests in northern Alberta. Nest in conifers.
- House Finch – Very adaptable, found in both rural and urban areas including farms, orchards, suburbs, parks
- Common Redpoll – Boreal forest, thickets, weedy fields. Often flock together while feeding.
Finches are primarily seed-eating birds that thrive in areas with plenty of seeds and buds available as food sources.
What do finches eat in Alberta?
Finches have specialized beaks and tongues adapted for cracking seeds and eating buds. Here are some of the main food sources for finches in Alberta:
- Seeds – Various small seeds of grasses, weeds, trees and shrubs. Examples include thistle, dandelion, alder, birch.
- Buds – Tree buds on aspens, poplars, spruces, and other trees.
- Insects – Caterpillars, spiders, aphids provide protein for finches, especially while breeding.
- Fruit – Some finches like Purple Finches will eat berries and other fruits.
- Nectar – American Goldfinches drink sap from sapsucker holes and eat flower nectar.
- Backyard feeders – Black oil sunflower seeds, nyjer seeds, and suet attract finches.
Finches have diverse diets that shift based on seasonal availability. They primarily consume seeds and buds but supplement their diet with protein-rich insects and other food sources.
When do finches breed in Alberta?
Finches in Alberta typically breed between late spring and early summer. Here are the approximate breeding seasons for some of Alberta’s common finches:
- American Goldfinch – Mid-July through August
- Pine Siskin – May through July
- Purple Finch – May through early July
- House Finch – April through August
- Common Redpoll – June through July
The exact timing of nesting and egg-laying depends on the species, altitude, and weather conditions. Finches often raise multiple broods per breeding season. The female builds the nest and incubates the eggs alone.
How do finches nest in Alberta?
Finches construct fairly simple open-cup nests out of grasses, twigs, rootlets, and other plant materials. Here are some details on finch nesting habits in Alberta:
- Most species nest up in trees, typically conifers like spruce, pine, fir.
- American Goldfinches and House Finches may also nest in shrubs or man-made sites.
- Typical clutch sizes range from 3-6 eggs.
- Females incubate eggs for 11-14 days before they hatch.
- Chicks fledge the nest 11-18 days after hatching.
Parent finches are very protective of nests and may attack perceived threats. Females do the majority of nest construction and care for the young. Males assist in gathering food.
How can you attract finches to your yard?
Here are some tips to make your yard attractive for finches in Alberta:
- Plant native trees, shrubs, and flowers that produce seeds and berries.
- Leave some weedy patches and brushy areas for cover and nesting spots.
- Put up finch feeders stocked with nyjer seed or black oil sunflower seeds.
- Install a water feature like a birdbath, mister, or small pond.
- Avoid using pesticides which reduce insect food sources.
Offering natural food sources, cover, and nesting sites will go a long way to entice finches to take up residence or just visit your yard.
What risks and threats do finches face in Alberta?
Some of the major risks and threats to finch populations in Alberta include:
- Habitat loss from human development, logging, agriculture, etc.
- Climate change affecting range shifts and timing of migrations.
- Drought reducing natural seed crops that finches rely on.
- Collisions with buildings, especially during migrations.
- Nest parasitism by Brown-headed Cowbirds.
- Disease outbreaks such as House Finch eye disease.
Protecting large intact habitats and providing supplemental food sources in backyards can help counteract some of these threats to maintain healthy finch populations in the province.
Conclusion
Alberta is home to a nice diversity of colorful finch species. They occupy a variety of habitats across the province. Finches can be drawn into backyards by planting native vegetation and providing feeders with their preferred seeds. Protecting natural finch habitats from excessive development and climate change is important to ensure their populations remain stable.
