House Finch

These brightly colored little songbirds are a common sight in my neighborhood. They are quite prolific and can lay as many as 6 clutches of eggs in one summer.

House Finches are native to the Western United States and Mexico, but in the 1940's they were sold in pet stores in the east and called 'Hollywood Finches. After the Migratory Bird Treaty Act the pet stores released them to avoid being fined.

They've since become one of the most successful species across the continent and are a common visitor to my feeders in Wisconsin.

I know people who have decorative floral wreaths hanging on or near their front doors and enjoy seeing baby birds in the nests that are built there and at my house they often nest atop the porch light.

House finch is an appropriate name for this friendly little bird!