What do House Finches like to eat?

Last Updated on January 10, 2024 by Greg Gillson

House Finches are small songbirds found across the United States, extreme southern Canada, and into Mexico. They are grayish-brown and heavily streaked. The males have red foreheads, breast, and rump which the females lack.

These common birds are found in residential and urban backyards, as well as near water in arid regions of the West and Mexico.

House Finches are highly attracted to bird feeders where they eat a variety of seeds. Their favorite, though, is black oil sunflower seeds. Keep reading to see what else they like to eat and what kind of bird feeders they like. There is something else you can add to your yard to make the House Finches happy!

This page is a supplement to my overview page on Attracting House Finches to your backyard. When finished here, please go back to that overview page to find more information and links to other in-depth articles on the range and habitat of House Finches, identification and similar species, and courtship and nesting.

Photo of male House Finch eating sunflowers at a feeder
House Finch
Photo by Greg Gillson

Diet and natural food

Throughout the year, about 86% of what House Finches eat is weed seeds, according to The Audubon Encyclopedia of North American Birds. Thistles and dandelions seeds from fields and vacant lots are mentioned by most authors. Other seeds mentioned include wild mustard, knotweed, mulberry and poison oak.

In fall, House Finches like to eat fruit, too. It seems that they sometimes do damage to orchards. There they may eat peaches, apricots, plums, and cherries. Mulberries are a wild fruit they eat.

House Finches eat a very few insects. In fact, their vegetarian diet is so strong that they even feed seeds to their nestlings.

In spring, House Finches eat blossoms and buds from many varieties of plants.

House Finches at the backyard feeder

Foods to attract House Finches

House Finches will eat many varieties of bird seed. By far, though, House Finches love black oil sunflower seeds! They prefer it twice as much as striped sunflowers and hulled sunflower seeds. [See my article on what birdseed birds like best.]

Another seed House Finches really like is Niger seed. They will also eat safflower and white proso millet. You can buy a good quality mixed birdseed (lots of black oil sunflowers, little or no milo). You may try a “finch” blend that will contain sunflower seeds and Niger seed.

House Finches may eat corn, peanuts, and milo, but they don’t like these nearly as well as the seeds above.

At your feeder you may try cut up fruits. Cherries are a favorite. You might try cutting up apples, peaches and nectarines, too.

House Finches eat suet occasionally and even bread crumbs.

Black oil sunflower seed is generally about $1 per pound in quantity. Here is a variety from Amazon that is of good quality and usually priced competitively.

            House Finch by Rhododendrites

What is the best bird feeder for House Finches?

House Finches aren’t too picky about the kind of bird feeder that you use. They come equally well to platform, hopper, and tube feeders.

They may get less competition from other birds at the tube feeders, though. Here’s a 16 inch tall tube feeder from Amazon that will hold up to 1 pound of sunflower seeds.

House Finches will readily come to window feeders. They are not as wary and skittish as some other feeder birds. If they get startled away, they will quickly return. 

Feeding and foraging behavior

House Finches tend to travel around in small, loose flocks. Flocks in size of 5 to a dozen birds seem to be the most common. So when they come to the feeder it is usually as a group, not single birds.

They tend to be noisy and active at the feeder, calling and chirping and jumping around. They are a little bit flighty–but if chased from the feeder by another, they usually fly to another spot on the feeder or a nearby perch. Then they return immediately.

When eating, House Finches chew to open the seed husks. Then they use their tongues to remove the seed kernel and swallow it. They allow the seed husks just to fall out the sides of their mouths. This results in empty seed shells in the feeder tray or on the ground under the feeder. These should be cleaned away regularly.

House Finches regularly feed on the ground. They may clean up some of the spilled seed under the feeder. Usually, though, they feed from the feeder.

             House Finch by Aleksey Marcov

Water

House Finches really love to drink water. 

A 1956 paper (source) describes several experiments on House Finches in California and water consumption. At 39 degrees Celsius (102 degrees Fahrenheit) the birds drank and average of 40% of their body weight in a day. Amazingly, some birds drank 100% of their weight in water in a 24 hour period. The average water consumption at 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit) was 20% of body weight. During this time they were feed only dry mixed bird seed.

Then those experimenters took away the water and birds survived for a week with no weight loss on dry seeds and succulent vegetables (celery tops, apples, and lettuce).

House Finches love to bathe, too. So you should provide shallow water for them to bathe in. They don’t mind bathing in taller bird baths, or on the ground.

Wrapping Up

Finding house finches is a joy for any birdwatcher! These cheerful little birds with their bright red heads and lively songs are common across much of North America and readily adapt to diverse habitats. Here are some tips to help you locate these feathered friends:

Habitat:

  • Backyards and gardens: House finches love human-altered environments and readily visit feeders, especially with sunflower seeds or nyjer. Look for them foraging on the ground, perching on trees and shrubs, or singing from rooftops.
  • Open areas: Parks, fields, and meadows offer another suitable habitat. Observe them searching for seeds on the ground or gathering in small flocks.
  • Forest edges: While not solely forest dwellers, house finches might frequent fringes of woodlands and edges where open areas meet trees, providing them with diverse food sources.

Time of day:

  • Morning and evening: They tend to be more active and vocal during these times, increasing your chances of spotting them foraging or singing.
  • Throughout the day: While less active at midday, you might still find them visiting feeders or perched on branches.

Tips for spotting them:

  • Listen for their song: A sweet, high-pitched “tweet, tweet-tweet, chew-chew-chew” is their signature tune. Follow the sound to track them down.
  • Observe their feeding behavior: They often hop and flit on the ground searching for seeds. They might also visit feeders or climb bushes and trees.
  • Look for their appearance: The males have a bright red head and breast, brown streaks on their back, and white wing bars. Females are less colorful with brown streaks and a pale buffy chest.
  • Use binoculars: This helps you get a closer look and identify them amongst other birds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are House Finches good to have around?

House finches are generally considered positive additions to the environment, offering several benefits for both humans and ecosystems:

Pest control: House finches are insectivores, particularly during breeding season. They readily consume beetles, caterpillars, and other insects that can damage gardens and harm crops, acting as natural pest control agents.

Seed dispersal: They love seeds and berries, and while they might snack on some cultivated fruits, they also play a crucial role in dispersing seeds of various plants, contributing to plant diversity and ecosystem health.

Aesthetics and entertainment: Their bright colours, lively songs, and playful behavior bring a cheerful touch to gardens and open spaces. Their presence can be a source of joy and wonder for nature enthusiasts and casual observers alike.

Indicator species: The abundance and health of house finch populations can be seen as an indicator of the overall health of their habitat. Their presence suggests a balanced ecosystem with sufficient food and resources.

Can you befriend a House Finch?

The idea of befriending a wild animal like a house finch is certainly charming, but it’s important to understand the limitations of such a relationship. While you can’t truly befriend a house finch in the same way you might befriend a dog or cat, you can build a relationship of trust and mutual benefit.

Here’s why true friendship with a wild finch isn’t possible:

  • Wild instincts: House finches are driven by their natural instincts as wild animals. They prioritize survival and reproduction over forming close bonds with humans. Their fear response is strong, and any attempt to force interaction could stress them.
  • Limited cognitive abilities: Their brains are not complex enough to form deep emotional connections like those we share with domesticated animals. They might recognize you as a source of food or safety, but it’s not comparable to human friendship.
  • Importance of freedom: Restricting their freedom by keeping them as pets is detrimental to their well-being. They thrive in the wild and should be allowed to live natural lives.

However, you can definitely cultivate a connection with house finches by fostering a safe and welcoming environment:

  • Provide a regular food source: Offer sunflower seeds, nyjer, or other finch-friendly food in feeders placed away from windows and predators.
  • Create a bird-friendly habitat: Plant native flowers and shrubs that provide food and cover. Add a birdbath for a refreshing drink.
  • Maintain a safe distance: Observe them from afar with binoculars, avoiding actions that might startle them.
  • Be patient and consistent: Building trust takes time. Stay quiet, calm, and let them approach you at their own pace.

Are House Finches common across the US?

Yes, House Finches are indeed extremely common across most of the United States! After their introduction to the East Coast in the late 19th century, they expanded their range rapidly and are now established breeding birds in all but a few states. Here’s a breakdown of their prevalence:

Widespread Distribution:

  • Present in: All lower 48 states except for Alaska and Hawaii
  • Common habitats: Backyards, gardens, parks, fields, open woodlands, forest edges
  • Easily observed: Look for them at feeders, perching on trees and shrubs, or hopping on the ground searching for seeds.

Regional Differences:

  • Abundant in: Midwest, Great Plains, Southwest
  • Less common in: Northeast, Pacific Northwest
  • Variations in plumage: Eastern populations generally have brighter red males than those in the West.

Population Estimates:

  • Millions of individuals: Estimated populations range from 267 million to 1.7 billion across North America.
  • Steady or increasing numbers: Their populations are considered stable or even increasing in most areas.

Back to the overview page on attracting House Finches to your backyard.

Comments 19
  1. Good information. I just put up a window feeder and noticed these, tho at first I thought they were a cross between a sparrow and a cardinal! Thanks for the seed tips.

  2. What food can be used to increase the red in the male finches. I understand it is carotenoids but what can I provide that contains carotenoids?

  3. Interesting question. A quick look on the Internet revealed that House Finches get the carotenoids in summer from fruits and berries they eat. So it may depend on what native fruits grow in your immediate area. Then they molt in those new colorful feathers in the fall.

  4. In north central Colorado — Ft. Collins — we have huge numbers of house finches. We have 8 feeders scattered across an acre of field and forest. NONE of the finches will eat nyjer. In Nebraska we had huge flocks of goldfinches, and they chowed down at least 100 pounds of nyjer every year. The house finches here prefer safflower. We have large platform feeders full of black oil sunflower, and the finches won't touch it. With safflower prices going into orbit, we will try hulled sunflower this winter.

  5. Make sure your seed is fresh, if you can find out. In the fall try to get this year's seed. Any seed you get now this time of year is likely almost a year old. Birds like fresher seed.

  6. What would you suggest one should do to *discourage* house finches? We have a gang of about a dozen that has begun to dominate our tube feeders, scaring off the other birds; and they are voracious emptying each feeder daily. Is there a food they don't like? Or a food they would like more than black oil sunflower that we could place further away for them?

  7. Well, that's an interesting question. But I do understand. Too much of a good thing!

    House Finches prefer black oil sunflower seeds. But, then again, so do most seed eating birds. If you discourage House Finches, you are really discouraging all seed eating birds.

    Change to thistle feeders and Niger seed. Suet will attract chickadees, nuthatches, woodpeckers. Nectar for hummingbirds and orioles. White proso millet for smaller sparrows. Peanuts for jays.

  8. I am writing this on 04-20-2022, in Loveland Colorado. We have several large platform feeders filled with black oil sunflower seeds. We also have 10 large perch feeders filled with safflower seeds. We have very large house finch populations, but they very rarely will eat the sunflower seeds. They wolf down the safflower, to the tune of 100 pounds per summer/autumn. Maybe Colorado finches are oddballs.

  9. Very interesting. Perhaps the sunflower seed is old?

    Evidently the House Finches have decided they like safflower seeds!

    Thanks for sharing!

  10. House finches in northwest INDIANA visit grape jelly dishes we have out for orioles.

  11. We’re in Ohio and house finches here also enjoy our grape jelly oriole feeders 😁

  12. I put out some grape jelly and a slice of orange on a plate for the Orioles and the House Finches were there every day for it right in the morning 😎 grabbing it.

  13. I have a solo female house finch that follows me around work all day and I feed it worms really big ones and it eats them it’s hilarious to watch I’ve also seen her eat butterflies and grasshoppers super cool birds

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