House finches are a common backyard bird found throughout most of North America. Their scientific name is Haemorhous mexicanus, and they belong to the finch family Fringillidae. House finches do not actually have horns, but the males do have some interesting head plumage that can appear similar to small horns.
Do Male House Finches Have Horns?
The short answer is no, male house finches do not have true horns. However, the males do have some distinctive plumage on their heads that could be mistaken for tiny horns at first glance.
Male house finches have broad, complex facial markings that include a reddish brown forehead, stripes above the eye, and a patch below the eye. On the top of the head, male house finches have a short crest of feathers. This crest sometimes sticks nearly straight up, but often leans slightly forward towards the bill.
When the head crest is raised up, the feathers can appear similar to short, blunt horns over the eyes. The feathers are also rather stiff, which adds to the horned look. This unique plumage definitely gives the males a distinctive appearance.
However, the head crest is composed entirely of feathers. There is no bony core or sheath like you would see on the horns of cattle or sheep. The feathers are also not very long, extending an inch or less above the head. So while the plumage has a superficial resemblance to tiny horns, they are simply head feathers.
Purpose of the Male’s Plumage
The male house finch’s “horns” and other head plumage serve an important purpose – attracting mates and asserting dominance.
The coloration and plumage are a result of sexual selection. Females choose males with the brightest red head plumage to mate with. The crest and stripes help accentuate and frame the vibrant red color.
The “horns” are also raised during aggressive encounters with other males. The erect crest makes the male appear larger and more dominant to competitors. So this plumage helps establish a pecking order and signal status.
Over many generations, the exaggeration of these traits evolved through mate selection and competition between males. Females get the best genes for their offspring, and dominant males get to mate with more females. These evolutionary pressures led to the male’s elaborate head plumage.
Differences Between Male and Female Plumage
Male and female house finches have quite distinct plumage. The differences reflect their roles in reproduction.
Male house finches not only have more elaborate head feathers, but also much brighter red coloring overall. Females are a pale brown color instead of red, with minimal head markings. The drab female plumage provides camouflage while nesting.
Immature males start out with female-like plumage, then gradually gain more red coloration and distinctive markings with each molt. Full adult male plumage doesn’t emerge until about one year of age.
So in summary, it’s the male’s red coloring and ornamental head feathers that distinguish it. The “horns” are simply an optical illusion created by its short head crest.
Range and Habitat
House finches live across most of North America and Hawaii, after being introduced from western states to the east coast in the 1940s. They are found in urban, suburban, and agricultural areas.
House finches are very adaptable and thrive around human development. They commonly nest on man-made structures like eaves, window ledges, roof beams, and outdoor lighting fixtures. This allows them to easily exploit bird feeders and gardens.
Some key facts about house finch habitat:
- Partially-open areas like woodland edges and scrublands
- Abundant in parks, farms, orchards, and residential areas
- Most abundant bird of the southwest desert regions
- Shows a preference for low elevations
- Tolerant of hot, arid climates and human disturbance
House finches are so comfortable around people that they often overlook humans at close distances. The “horns” and red color of the males make them stand out wherever they occur.
Diet
House finches are primarily seed eaters, with plant material making up over 90% of their diet. Some common food sources include:
- Weed seeds and grains
- Fruit such as berries
- Buds, flowers, and nectar
- Garden vegetables like peas and lettuce
- Backyard bird feeders stocked with sunflower seeds, millet, and corn
House finches have adapted readily to bird feeders. They often feed in large flocks of 20 birds or more. This social behavior allows them to quickly find and monopolize food sources.
While mainly granivorous, house finches occasionally eat insects like aphids, caterpillars, beetles and flies. They feed their young a high-protein diet of insects to support growth and development.
Some key facts about the house finch diet:
- Consists primarily of seeds from herbaceous plants
- Will form large flocks at productive food sources
- Feeds more on insects during the breeding season
- A backyard bird feeder favorite thanks to its appetite for seed
Breeding and Nesting
House finches breed during the spring and summer across their entire range. Courtship and pair bonding starts in late winter.
Interestingly, house finches exhibit a rare mating system called serial monogamy. Pairs stay faithful during one breeding cycle, but then dissolve and re-pair with new mates in subsequent seasons.
During courtship, the male frequently feeds the female. He also follows her while fluffing his plumage, bobbing his head, and singing a warbled song. If the female accepts his display, she allows him to approach and mate.
For the nest, the female selects a protected site in a tree, on a ledge, or within a man-made structure. The nest is a cup of twigs, stems, and grasses, lined with softer material like moss or animal hair. It is built solely by the female over several days.
Some key facts about house finch breeding and nesting:
- Breeding season lasts from March to August
- Females lay 3-6 pale blue eggs
- Incubation lasts 12-14 days
- Young fledge the nest in 14-18 days
- May raise 2-3 broods per mating season
The altricial hatchlings are naked and helpless, with closed eyes. Both parents feed the young regurgitated seeds and insects as they grow. The short breeding cycle allows house finches to produce several broods each season.
Threats and Conservation Status
House finches are classified as a species of Least Concern by the IUCN. They are abundant across North America, with an estimated population over 200 million.
Some threats and challenges facing house finch populations include:
- Habitat loss: Conversion of scrublands and native vegetation into agriculture, infrastructure, and urbanization.
- Disease: House finches are prone to a bacterial eye infection called mycoplasmal conjunctivitis, first observed in the 1990s. It results in red, swollen, runny eyes that can lead to blindness.
- Predators: Eggs and nestlings are preyed upon by jays, squirrels, snakes, and house cats.
- Collisions: Often killed striking tall buildings and towers during migration periods.
However, house finches remain highly populous across most of the United States. Backyard bird feeders and landscaping offer them reliable habitat. The bright colors and feather “horns” of the males will continue to attract mates for generations to come.
Conclusion
Male house finches have striking plumage on their heads that can appear similar to horns, but they do not have any actual horns. The short, erect feathers are strictly for display. They help attract females and assert dominance over other males.
House finches thrive in human-altered environments, easily adapting to take advantage of gardens, parks, and bird feeders. Their horns and red color make them one of the most recognizable backyard birds within their range. Even without true horns, the males demonstrate how evolution favors elaborate traits for courtship and competition.