Often confused with the Purple Finch, the House Finch is trimmer. The male has a concentration of red on his head, breast and rump. The crown is brown, and the female is drab brown.

In 1940, this bird was illegally imported and sold by pet stores in New York City. When authorities came to arrest the owners, they released the birds in Central Park. They build their nests of grass and fibers in brush or on a building in a cup shape. You can find them in thickets, suburbs, and farmland.

Hang a tube feeder from a tree branch. Even on windy days, finches will delightfully feed on a swaying feeder. You can also dispense feed through a Nyjer tube feeder. The seed openings are small and prevent seed from spilling.

Eastern and western United States.