Yesterday I wrote that I didn’t think the common name for House Wren didn’t describe the small wrens well at all, that their common name sounded rather pedestrian and that Forest Wren had a nice descriptive ring to it. Today I’m sharing another “house” bird, a male House Finch and once again I think the common name for these finches sounds pedestrian.
Once upon a time before humans interfered, as they seem to do, House Finches were found in the western part of North America, specifically the southwest, which was their historical range. So why not call them the Western Finch or something that describes them more accurately? Who knows.
Male House Finch in a Wasatch Mountain canyon – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/800, ISO 800, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I see, but don’t often photograph House Finches at home, I get most excited about them away from human civilization and in their natural habitats. One of my favorite photos of this species is when I took an image of one on a Joshua Tree in southwestern Utah out in the middle of nowhere.
These two photos were taken on the same day that I photographed a juvenile Cooper’s Hawk last week. The male House Finch had perched on a branch above a brush pile out in the open in a mountain canyon. Tthis was before the young hawk showed up.
Male House Finch looking down at the ground – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/800, ISO 800, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I forget what kind of plant was in the background of these images but a hint of fall color is shown in the leaves of the plant. The male House Finch appeared to be cleaning fruit juice off of its bill while I photographed him by rubbing his bill on the branch he was perched on. Unfortunately for me while he was doing that his eyes weren’t visible so the images I took didn’t meet my standards and will be deleted. He isn’t the most vibrantly colored House Finch I have ever photographed but I liked the setting and the eye contact I had with the finch in both photos.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my House Finch photos plus facts and information about this species.
Nice images and information. At least this “house” bird I can actually see around my house.
The reds in the Finch really pick up the reddish tones in the stalks behind him. A couple of endearing shots!
Love that ‘red wash’ over the plumage.
Hi! I see a little light in the first photo and in the top of the eye in the second photo! Have a great day! We are rainy here and waiting to see where Florence will come?? Love mom