Quick Answer
Yes, house finches will drink from hummingbird feeders. Hummingbird feeders contain sugar water, which house finches enjoy as an easy food source. House finches have short, cone-shaped bills that allow them to access the nectar in hummingbird feeders. However, it is important to note that house finches can potentially spread diseases to hummingbirds when sharing feeders. Many experts recommend using separate finch feeders to discourage house finches from monopolizing hummingbird feeders.
House Finch Characteristics
The house finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) is a small songbird native to the western United States that has become widely distributed across North America through introductions. Here are some key facts about house finches:
Appearance
– Size: 5-6 inches long with a wingspan around 10 inches
– Coloring: Males have bright red plumage on head, breast and rump. Females are brown-streaked overall.
– Bill: Short and conical in shape.
Behavior
– Social and lively. Often found in flocks.
– Male sings a fast and warbling song year-round to defend territory and attract mates.
– Primarily seed and fruit eaters but also eat insects especially when feeding young.
Habitat
– Open and semi-open areas including parks, suburbs, farms and desert landscapes.
– Often found in urban and residential areas across the U.S. and Mexico.
House Finches Use Hummingbird Feeders
House finches are attracted to the sucrose-rich nectar found in hummingbird feeders for the following reasons:
Short Bills Allow Access
The short, pointed bills of house finches allow them to easily feed on hummingbird nectar. Their bills fit inside the feeding ports.
High Energy Food Source
The nectar provides an excellent source of carbohydrates and energy for house finches.
readable format using HTML table tags:
| Bird | Bill Length | Bill Shape |
|---|---|---|
| House finch | Short | Conical |
| Hummingbird | Long | Slender and pointed |
As you can see, the short conical bill of house finches allows access to feeders tailored for longer hummingbird beaks.
Association with Feeders
House finches recognize hummingbird feeders as a familiar food source since they are commonly found in residential areas.
Effects on Hummingbirds
Sharing hummingbird feeders with house finches can have the following impacts on hummingbird populations:
Competition for Food
House finches may compete for access to nectar, depriving hummingbirds of needed energy.
Territorial Disputes
Hummingbirds may expend extra energy chasing house finches away from their preferred feeding areas.
Increased Disease Transmission
House finches can spread bacterial and protozoan diseases to hummingbirds using the same feeder. This includes:
| Disease | Cause |
|---|---|
| Conjunctivitis | Mycoplasmal infection |
| Avian pox | Avipoxvirus |
| Salmonellosis | Salmonella bacteria |
| Trichomoniasis | Protozoan parasite |
While house finches are carriers, these diseases can be fatal to hummingbirds due to their high metabolism.
Deterrence From Feeders
If house finches monopolize feeders, hummingbirds may stop visiting them altogether. This deprives them of an important energy source.
Deterring House Finches From Hummingbird Feeders
Here are some tips to discourage house finches from your hummingbird feeders:
Use Specialty Cages
Use feeders with a specialized cage design that allows hummingbird access but deters house finches.
Employ Moats
Some feeders have a water moat that hummingbirds can hover over but makes perching difficult for finches.
Adjust Ports
If your feeder ports are large, try switching to a feeder with smaller, more restrictive ports.
Use Red Dye
Adding red food coloring to the nectar may dissuade finches while still attracting hummingbirds.
Separate Feeders
Providing finch feeders with sunflower seeds, millet or other birdseed away from hummingbird feeders encourages finches to eat there instead.
Gradually Deter
Slowly transition finches away by moving their preferred feeder further away each day.
Clean Regularly
Frequent cleaning and nectar replacement helps minimize spread of diseases between feeder visitors.
Conclusion
In conclusion, house finches are naturally drawn to the sweet nectar in hummingbird feeders due to their bill shape and feeding preferences. Sharing a feeder can negatively impact hummingbirds by spreading disease, deterring their usage and causing increased competition. Using specialized feeders, separate finch feeders and other deterrents can redirect house finches safely away from hummingbird feeders. Maintaining clean feeders and fresh nectar helps create a healthy environment for both species. Careful feeder management allows you to enjoy both beautiful house finches and buzzing hummingbirds in your yard.
