How to Attract House Finches (and Keep Them Healthy)
House finches are common, cheerful singers. The males have red heads and chests, and they show up in flocks at tube feeders all year in most of the US.
What house finches eat
Sunflower (in the shell or hulled) and Nyjer are their favorites. They also enjoy safflower.
Sunflower seeds with the shells already removed. No mess on your patio or deck, and no waste, because birds eat every piece.
Check price on Amazon for Lyric Sunflower Kernels (opens Amazon)The tiny black seed that goldfinches go crazy for. Use it in a finch feeder with small ports.
Check price on Amazon for Wagner's Nyjer Seed (opens Amazon)The feeders they use
Tube feeders and finch feeders suit house finches perfectly. A squirrel-proof tube keeps the sunflower safe.
A simple, durable tube feeder that small songbirds love. Easy to fill, easy to clean and built to last for years.
Check price on Amazon for Droll Yankees Classic Tube Feeder (opens Amazon)The same weight-activated idea in a smaller, cheaper size. A great first squirrel-proof feeder for chickadees, titmice and finches.
Check price on Amazon for Brome Squirrel Buster Standard (opens Amazon)Keep feeders clean
House finches can catch a contagious eye disease that spreads at dirty feeders. Infected birds have swollen, crusty eyes.
Clean feeders every two weeks with hot soapy water or a dilute bleach solution, and let them dry before refilling. If you see a sick finch, take feeders down for a week or two and clean everything.
Nesting
House finches nest almost anywhere: hanging plants, porch ledges, vines and evergreens. They're one of the few songbirds that happily nest right next to people.
Frequently asked questions
Why are some male house finches orange or yellow?
Their color comes from pigments in their food. Birds that eat fewer red pigments come out orange or yellow.
How do I tell a house finch from a purple finch?
Male purple finches look like they were dipped in raspberry juice, with color across the back. House finches have brown streaks on the sides and red mainly on the head and chest.
Do house finches migrate?
Most stay year-round.
Not sure which feeder fits your yard?
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