Uncommon in western montane coniferous forests, this finch has a more pointed and longer bill than the Purple Finch, as well as a longer primary projection. The most distinguishing characteristics between House Finch and Purple Finch are the short, deeply forked tail and the peaked head. They usually forage upon the ground, feeding on fruit, insects, buds, and conifer seeds.
First seen in Oklahoma in 2000, the American rosefinch has steadily become more common and was observed several times during 2018 at the Black Mesa Bed in Breakfast in winter, as well as New Year's Eve, as well as once in spring. It was also seen in the spring this year in Guymon. In Oklahoma, they appear to be moving west to central to likely survive climate change over the next few decades.
These birds breed throughout western conifer belts of the interior mountains between 3,000 and 10,000 feet. They favor most pines, spruce, and quaking aspen. Some prefer open sagebrush scrub with interspersed western juniper. Breeding numbers tend to change as the food supply does over yearly periods. Some northernmost birds will migrate south for the winter, yet others choose not to do so.
Cassin's Finch
Madera Canyon, AZ 2018
In late summer and early fall they will flock with Red Crossbills, Pine Siskins, Evening Grosbeaks, and other assorted birds of the mountains to forage and seek out salt through mineral deposits. In the winter, they migrate to lower valleys, or altitudinal migration.
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