Yes, House Finches are found throughout Oregon. The House Finch is a common bird that was introduced to the western United States from the east in the 1940s. They are now well-established across Oregon and can be found in urban, suburban, and rural habitats.
Quick Facts About House Finches in Oregon
- Range: Found across all regions of Oregon, including the coast, Willamette Valley, Cascades, eastern Oregon, etc.
- Habitat: Parks, neighborhoods, farms, woodlands. They thrive around human development.
- Abundance: Very common. Oregon’s most numerous songbird.
- Breeding: Nest March through August. Multiple broods per season.
- Diet: Seeds, buds, fruits. Will visit bird feeders.
- Distinctive Markings: Males have bright reddish-orange plumage on head, breast, and rump.
Introduction and Range Expansion in Oregon
The House Finch is native to the southwestern United States and Mexico. In the 1940s, a small number of finches were sold as pet birds in New York City. Some of these escaped captivity and established a breeding population. From this small founder group, House Finches spread rapidly across North America, aided by their preference for living near humans.
House Finches arrived in Oregon in the late 1940s to early 1950s. They were first recorded in the Willamette Valley but quickly spread to inhabit the entire state. Today, they are well-established and one of Oregon’s most abundant and recognizable backyard birds.
Current Population and Distribution
Oregon lies well within the House Finch’s introduced range on the West Coast. Suitable habitat exists across the state. House Finches occur year-round in all regions of Oregon at elevations up to 9,000 feet.
They are most abundant west of the Cascades but also breed in eastern Oregon. High densities occur along the Willamette Valley, Columbia River, and major towns and cities. They are somewhat less common in higher elevation forests, alpine areas, and dry sagebrush deserts.
Population Changes
After their initial arrival, House Finch numbers rapidly increased in Oregon through the 1980s as they expanded their range. By the 1990s, populations appeared to stabilize. Christmas Bird Count data indicates numbers fluctuated but remained relatively steady in Oregon over the past couple decades.
A severe eye disease caused declines in eastern populations in the 1990s but did not substantially affect western birds. West Nile Virus led to a drop in numbers in some areas in the early 2000s but populations later rebounded.
Habitat Preferences
House Finches are closely associated with humans and urban/suburban habitats across their range. However, they also utilize natural areas and rural environments in Oregon.
Urban and Suburban Areas
House Finches thrive around human development. They are common in residential yards, parks, gardens, golf courses, shopping centers, farms, nurseries, and similar areas. They frequently visit bird feeders.
Nesting occurs on ledges of buildings, gutters, ornamental vegetation, and backyard feeders. Urban areas provide plentiful food and nest sites.
Rural and Natural Habitats
House Finches also inhabit more open, rural environments in Oregon. They are found along forest edges, hedgerows, orchards, farms, ranches, and similar areas. Natural nesting sites include rock outcrops, cliffs, and trees.
They occur in open woodlands, particularly those with some oaks. Riparian zones along streams and wetlands are also used. House Finches reach their highest densities in urban areas but occur more widely beyond cities.
Identification
House Finches are medium-sized songbirds about 5-6 inches long. They have a thick, conical bill adapted for eating seeds. The tail is notched at the tip.
Breeding males have a bright reddish head, breast, and rump. This color is lacking in winter. Females and juveniles are brown-streaked overall with a plain head.
In flight, look for broad, blurred streaking on the flanks and belly, and a long, notched tail. Males sing a lively, warbling song ending in harsh jumbled notes.
Distinguishing Features
- Conical bill
- Notched tail
- Red coloration on breeding males
- Heavily streaked flanks
- Warbling, energetic song
Similar Species
Cassin’s Finch occurs with House Finches in parts of Oregon. It lacks extensive red on males, has more defined streaking, and a smaller bill. Purple Finches are uncommon migrants that have a bigger head and more extensive streaking.
Behavior and Diet
House Finches are active and social. They may form large flocks of 100+ birds outside of breeding season. Smaller groups are common year-round as they feed and move between habitat patches.
They forage both up in trees and on the ground. About 3/4 of their diet consists of seeds from native plants, agricultural crops, and backyard feeders. They also eat buds, berries, and some insects.
Feeding
Typical foods include:
- Weed seeds
- Grain crops
- Fruit (elderberries, blackberries, etc.)
- Buds
- Backyard birdseed
- Green vegetation
- Insects like aphids and caterpillars
House Finches are frequent visitors to feeders with black oil sunflower, nyjer, and millet. They may feed in large groups, chasing off other birds.
Social Behavior
Outside of breeding season, House Finches form flocks of 30 to 100+ birds. Flocks travel, forage, and roost together communally. Smaller flocks of up to 30 birds are also common year-round.
They may mix with other finches, sparrows, and buntings while feeding and migrating. House Finches are active, noisy, and social birds.
Breeding and Nesting
House Finches begin nesting activities in late winter. They breed from March through August in Oregon, with peak activity April to July. Pairs may raise 2-3 broods per season.
Courtship
Males perform a courtship display, perching near females while fluttering wings, spreading tail, and singing. If receptive, the female crouches while fluttering her wings.
Pairs form monogamous bonds for the breeding season. However, females have been known to stray, mating with males brighter red plumage while paired to a duller male.
Nest Site
Nests are open cups built 2-30 feet or more above ground. In Oregon, typical sites include:
- Building ledges
- Ornamental vegetation
- Tree branches
- Shrubs and hedges
- Natural cliffs and rock outcrops
- Bird houses
- Gutters
- Yard structures
Nests are made from twigs, grass, bark strips, and other plant material. They are lined with softer items like feathers, wool, or moss.
Eggs and Young
Females lay 3-6 pale blue or greenish eggs. Incubation lasts 12-14 days. Hatchlings are altricial, born naked with eyes closed.
Both parents feed nestlings. Young fledge at 14-18 days old but remain dependent on parents for several more weeks. Pairs may successfully raise 2-3 broods per summer.
Interaction with Humans
House Finches readily inhabit urban and suburban areas. This affinity for living near humans aids their spread and success. They are one of the most common backyard birds in Oregon.
Backyard Habitat and Feeders
To attract House Finches, provide:
- Bird feeders with black oil sunflower, nyjer, millet
- Access to water
- Dense bushes and hedges for nesting
- Native plants that produce seeds and berries
Avoid pesticides, provide nest boxes, and tolerate their presence. Enjoy watching pairs raise multiple broods over the summer.
Potential Problems
House Finches may frequent agricultural fields and eat some crops, but generally do not cause significant damage. They can be messy around feeders.
The bacterium Mycoplasma gallisepticum caused a severe eye infection in eastern House Finch populations in the 1990s. It resulted in crusty, swollen eyes that eventually rendered birds blind and caused death. The disease has mostly run its course in the East and did not heavily impact western populations.
Conservation Status
House Finches remain common and widespread across their range. They are not at conservation risk. According to the North American Breeding Bird Survey, populations remained stable between 1966-2015 with a slight increasing trend of 0.32% annually.
They adapt readily to human habitats. As long as seed sources and nest sites exist near humans, House Finches will continue thriving in Oregon.
Conclusion
In summary, House Finches occur commonly across all regions of Oregon. They were introduced from the southwest in the mid-1900s and quickly spread. Though native to the West, they readily adapted to suburban and urban habitats in Oregon.
House Finches frequent backyards but also inhabit rural and natural areas. They nest early and often raise multiple broods. Watch for the bright red plumage on breeding males. This finch will likely remain a familiar resident in neighborhoods across Oregon.
