General Description: House Finches (Carpodacus mexicanus) are small, sexually dimorphic, finches with large bills. Both sexes are gray overall with a streaked breast, but the males have red, orange, or yellow on the head, breast, and rump. The females have a slight or non-existent eyeline (compare with females of other finch species). During winter, the bold colors fade, but still are present on the males. The bill is large, and the culmen (top of the bill) is curved.

Taxonomy: Passeriformes, Fringillidae, Carduelinae.

Favored Habitat: These little birds use a wide variety of low-elevation habitats, ranging from the harshest of desert environments to well-watered urban parks and yards. These are one of the most desert-adapted birds, and they are able to breed in the driest of places.

Where to Find: Around Las Vegas, look for House Finches at lower elevations everywhere around Las Vegas, including the most urban of areas and the driest of deserts.

Comments: There are three species of finches in southern Nevada. House Finches occur at lower elevation, Purple Finches generally occur at middle elevation, and Cassin's Finches generally occur at the highest elevations.

House Finch female: notice that House Finch females lack an eyebrow line.