Here’s another year-rounder that is always at the feeders, (Carpodacus mexicanus) the House Finch.

The males vary in the hue and intensity of the reds on their bodies. I’ve seen some with downright

brilliant foreheads, from orange to deep red, but they all have

heavily striped bellies.

The females are duller, of course, and look similar to the

female Purple Finches, but their heads are much more

bland. House Finches fall into the category that I call the

“gorgers” because they will stay at the feeder and eat for

long periods of time. Other birds – like the Nuthatches,

Titmice, and Chickadees – I think of as “hoarders” since

they usually fly in repeatedly, grab a seed, then fly off

to cache it for later consumption.

© Bob Vuxinic

3 Feb 2012

24 Dec 2010