The house finch is a well-known and easily recognizable bird known for its singing. It often visits residential yards and bird feeders across central and southern parts of North America. True to its name, these birds often build their nests on or near houses and other structures.
When constructing their nests, house finches use a mix of plant materials and sometimes even items created by humans. These nests are usually found in trees, cacti, or on ledges of homes and buildings.
If you’re curious about attracting house finches to your backyard or want to learn more about their nesting behavior, keep reading! This comprehensive guide will answer common questions about house finch nesting.
Where do house finches make their nests?
House finches choose a wide range of places to build their nests, reflecting their diverse habitats. They often create nests in places like cacti, conifer trees, palm trees, rock ledges, roof overhangs, hanging planters, windowsills, and abandoned buildings. Occasionally, they might use old nests from other birds or nest in tree holes.
As you can see, house finches are not very particular about their nesting sites. Many of their chosen spots are close to human-made structures or areas where people are active. The key factors for a nest site are having something overhead for protection and a sturdy foundation to build upon.
What do house finch nests look like?
House finch nests are shaped like cups and are made from a combination of natural and synthetic materials. These nests typically include grass stems, leaves, small twigs, feathers, string, and sometimes even wool or paper. The specific materials used can vary depending on where the birds are located.
For instance, house finches nesting in Arizona often use fresh creosote twigs with their leaves still attached. Using fresh plant materials can help keep mites away, which is why finches add more creosote when mite activity is high. During the early spring, when mites are less active, more dried plant materials are used. The inside of the nest is lined with softer materials like grass and rootlets. In urban areas, you might even find materials like string, paper, pet hair, and cigarette filters in the nest lining.
What time of year do house finches start nesting?
House finches typically begin nesting in the spring and continue through the summer, usually between March and August. These birds have longer nesting seasons because they often lay multiple sets of eggs. A pair of house finches might have 2 to 6 broods in a year, although not all of them will be successful.
Also Read: Hummingbirds Nesting Behavior
How long do house finches stay in their nests?
The length of the nesting season can vary slightly based on the region where the house finches are nesting. However, most finches start building their nests in early March and continue until August. The first batch of eggs usually hatches in March after about two weeks of incubation. The fledglings are ready to leave the nest in another 12 to 19 days. Meanwhile, the female is already preparing for the next set of eggs.
How do house finches create their nests?
Female house finches are responsible for building the nests. While males may gather materials, they never contribute to the nest construction. Females collect a mix of plant materials, string, and hair, carry them back to the nest site, and start building.
The entire construction process can take up to three weeks, with females being most active in the mornings and slowing down in the afternoons. The first nest of the season usually takes the longest to build. As the season progresses, later nests are often completed in 2 to 6 days.
Experience plays a role in how quickly and effectively the nests are built. First-time females might struggle with the structure and placement of the nest, while experienced females work faster and more efficiently.
When do baby house finches leave their nests?
Baby house finches usually leave their nests about 12 to 15 days after they hatch. Both the mother and father finch help feed the chicks, but as the fledging time approaches, the male takes on more of the feeding responsibilities.
Once the period of keeping the chicks warm (brooding) is over, the female’s role in caring for them decreases. She starts getting ready for the next set of eggs even before the current chicks leave the nest.
Also Read: Cardinals Nesting Behavior
How many times do house finches have babies?
Most house finches have more than one set of babies in a year. On average, a pair of finches successfully raise two broods in a single nesting season. While they can have up to six sets of eggs, usually only about three of those will make it to the point where the chicks leave the nest.
Do house finches use the same spot every year?
Male and female house finches often return to the same area to breed each year. If they’ve used a spot for nesting before, they are likely to use it again.
What do house finch eggs look like?
House finch eggs are oval and light blue in color, with speckles that are black and purple. The speckles are usually more concentrated at the wider end of the egg. These eggs are around 0.6 to 0.8 inches long and 0.5 to 0.6 inches wide.
What month do house finches lay eggs?
House finches usually lay their first set of eggs in early March. However, the egg-laying season can continue until August or September. The specific timing depends on factors like the region they’re in and their past experiences.
Do house finches use birdhouses?
House finches do use birdhouses. The birdhouse should have an entry hole that’s about 2 inches in diameter and a floor that’s 6×6 inches in size. It’s a good idea to attach the birdhouse to a pole or the side of a shed, somewhere that provides shelter and is hard for predators to reach.
Where do house finches sleep at night?
House finches usually don’t stay in their nests at night, except when they are incubating eggs or taking care of chicks. Instead, they find a hidden spot in a coniferous tree, a cactus, or under a rock ledge to spend the night. They might also rest inside vents, hanging planters, or under roof overhangs.
Do house finches make nests in people’s yards?
Yes, house finches often make nests in people’s yards. They choose places like ledges or vents on houses, barns, and other buildings. Hanging planters, dense ivy, and even old farm equipment can also be popular nesting sites. If you want to attract house finches to your yard, you can put up birdhouses for them to nest in.
