Nebraska is home to a variety of finch species. The most common finches found in the state include the House Finch, American Goldfinch, Purple Finch, Cassin’s Finch, Pine Siskin, Evening Grosbeak, and Eurasian Tree Sparrow.
Finches are small passerine birds in the family Fringillidae. There are around 265 species of finch worldwide, with at least 7 species found regularly in Nebraska. Finches are social, gregarious birds that often move and feed in flocks. They have strong, conical beaks adapted for cracking seeds and nuts. While finches are found across Nebraska, they are most abundant in forested areas, woodlands, suburban backyards, and agricultural areas.
Common Finches in Nebraska
House Finch
The House Finch is one of the most widespread and recognizable finches in Nebraska. Native to the western United States and Mexico, House Finches were introduced to the eastern US in the 1940s and have since spread across North America.
Male House Finches have red heads, breasts, and rumps with brown streaking on their flanks. Females are dull brown with faint streaking. House Finches are very social and form large flocks outside of breeding season. They are permanent residents in Nebraska and do not migrate.
House Finches inhabit urban parks, suburbs, farms, and open woodlands across the state. They construct nests in trees, ledges, or even in hanging plants on porches. House Finches eat seeds, buds, fruits, and human food scraps. Large numbers congregate at bird feeders.
American Goldfinch
The bright yellow male American Goldfinch is hard to miss. Females are dull brown with similar wing markings. Goldfinches undergo two molts per year, allowing their plumage to change from vibrant yellow in summer to olive brown in winter.
American Goldfinches breed in open country across Nebraska, especially where thistles and other weedy plants grow. They migrate in flocks within the state and across the Great Plains. Goldfinches are highly social and musical birds, traveling and foraging in noisy flocks. They mainly eat seeds and plant buds.
Their breeding habitat is open country like meadows and old fields with scattered shrubs and trees. Goldfinches nest later than other finches, waiting until mid-summer when thistle down is available to line their nests. Their lively song and flashy plumage make them a favorite among bird watchers.
Purple Finch
Named for the male’s bright raspberry red plumage, Purple Finches breed in coniferous or mixed woods across northern Nebraska. Females are streaked brown with a blurry facial pattern. Purple Finches dine mainly on seeds, buds, and fruits.
During the winter, Purple Finches may wander south in Nebraska and join flocks of House Finches and American Goldfinches. Purple Finches construct open, cup-shaped nests in evergreens or deciduous trees. Though they nest in remote forests, they readily visit backyards and feeders.
Cassin’s Finch
A close relative of the Purple Finch, Cassin’s Finch prefers the Ponderosa Pine forests along the Rocky Mountains. However, small numbers reach the pine forests of the Nebraska panhandle during irruptive migration years when cone crops are poor further west.
The male Cassin’s Finch’s red plumage is much darker than the Purple Finch and it lacks white wing bars. Cassin’s Finches forage similar to Purple Finches but rely heavily on conifer seeds. In Nebraska, Cassin’s Finches are most likely seen at feeders near pine forests in winter during irruptive years.
Pine Siskin
The Pine Siskin is a small, streaky relative of goldfinches. They have notched tails and pointed bills adapted for extracting seeds. Pine Siskins breed in coniferous forests across Canada and the western US. During winter they undergo irruptive migrations in search of food.
In Nebraska, Pine Siskins appear sporadically at feeders during winter in flocks with goldfinches. They especially relish nyger seeds. Pine Siskin numbers fluctuate wildly between years depending on the conifer seed crop. Though normally rare in Nebraska, big influxes happen every few years.
Evening Grosbeak
Evening Grosbeaks are stocky finches of northern forests. The male has a massive bill and bright yellow body with black wings, head, and tail. Females are gray with greenish yellow tints. Evening Grosbeaks periodically irrupt south in winter, reaching Nebraska in some years.
When present, Evening Grosbeaks visit backyards and feeders in small flocks, devouring sunflower seeds voraciously. In Nebraska, they are most likely found in western areas with open pine forests, such as the Pine Ridge region, though they may appear statewide during major irruptions.
Eurasian Tree Sparrow
Originally from Europe and Asia, the Eurasian Tree Sparrow was introduced to Missouri in the 1870s and has slowly spread across parts of the Midwest. It looks nearly identical to the widespread Chipping Sparrow but has a black cheek patch and rusty cap.
Eurasian Tree Sparrows first colonized southeast Nebraska in the 1960s. Small breeding populations are now found around urban and rural areas from Omaha to Superior. They readily visit feeders in loose flocks and nest in cavities or nest boxes.
When and Where to See Finches in Nebraska
The best times to observe finches in Nebraska are during the colder months when many species form larger flocks. Late fall through early spring offers the chance to see the most species and greatest numbers at feeders. However, nesting species like the House Finch and American Goldfinch are easiest to observe during the summer breeding season.
Productive bird feeding stations, particularly with nyger and black oil sunflower seeds, will attract the greatest diversity and abundance of finches. Urban parks, nature preserves with seed producing trees and plants, and reforested areas offer good habitat for foraging and nesting. In western Nebraska, areas with open pine forests harbor species like Cassin’s Finch and Pine Siskin.
Eastern Nebraska
The highest finch concentrations in eastern Nebraska are found from Omaha east to Lincoln and along the Missouri River. Areas to spot finches include:
- Fontenelle Forest in Bellevue
- Neale Woods Nature Center near Omaha
- Schramm Park State Recreation Area south of Omaha
- Indian Cave State Park near Shubert
- Lincoln Parks and urban areas
- DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge near Blair
Central Nebraska
Central Nebraska finch spots include:
- Platte River State Park near Louisville
- Rowe Sanctuary near Gibbon
- The Crane Trust near Alda
- Fort Kearny State Recreation Area near Kearney
- Miller Park in Kearney
- Lillian Annette Rowe Sanctuary & Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary near Gibbon
Western Nebraska
Prime finch birding locations in western Nebraska:
- Pine Ridge area
- Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area and Nature Center near Gering
- Scotts Bluff National Monument near Gering
- North Platte urban parks
- Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area near Ogallala
- Ash Hollow State Historical Park near Lewellen
Conclusion
Nebraska hosts a nice diversity of finch species due to its varied habitat types. The state is situated along the migratory route of northern finches that periodically irrupt south, leading to excellent and unpredictable winter finch possibilities. Sharp-eyed birders may even find a rare vagrant like a Common Redpoll joining the hordes of American Goldfinches at feeders.
By providing a variety of seeds and nesting sites, backyard birders can attract many of Nebraska’s finches year round. Public parks, nature preserves, and riparian areas offer additional opportunities to enjoy these sociable, colorful songbirds.
| Species | Description | Habitat | Diet | Nesting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| House Finch | Red-breasted males and brown females; introduced species | Open woodlands, towns, farms, parks | Seeds, buds, fruits | Tree cavities, ledges, hanging pots |
| American Goldfinch | Bright yellow males and dull females; change plumage seasonally | Weedy fields, meadows, thickets | Seeds and buds, especially thistle | Shrubs and small trees |
| Purple Finch | Raspberry-red males and blurry brown females | Coniferous and mixed forest | Seeds, buds, fruits | Evergreen or deciduous trees |
| Cassin’s Finch | Dark red males; western species that occasionally irrupts east | Ponderosa pine forest | Conifer seeds | Conifer trees |
| Pine Siskin | Small, streaky, notched-tail relative of goldfinches | Coniferous forest; irruptive winter visitor | Conifer seeds, nyjer, thistle | Conifer trees |
| Evening Grosbeak | Big yellow and black finch of northern forests | Forests; sporadic irruptive visitor | Buds, seeds, fruits | Trees |
| Eurasian Tree Sparrow | Resembles Chipping Sparrow with rusty cap and black cheek | Rural and urban areas in southeast Nebraska | Seeds | Tree cavities, nest boxes |
