Cassin's Finch
Often found at high altitudes, the Cassin's Finch is a locally common and conspicuous resident of western mountain conifer forests, especially spruce and fir trees. Males sing from treetop song perches or during smooth horizontal sallies on slow wing beats known as "moth flights." These flights are most common during the breeding season, which extends from April through early June. Breeding adult males stop singing when nest building begins, and, as befits a semicolonial species, song is not important in territorial defense. The males defend only a small territory around their own females and nests.
Cassin's Finch Range Map

Small foraging flocks of the nomadic Cassin's Finch are usually found in different locales throughout the year, except during the breeding season (although, even at that time, flocks of unpaired males may be seen). After breeding, flocks often head up into the scrubby forests just below tree line.

Like the closely related Purple Finch, the Cassin's Finch feeds primarily on vegetable matter including buds and seeds, especially those from conifers and fruit. They eat some insects during the summer. Migrational movements depend on the supply of food within their breeding range. During autumn, Cassin’s Finches descend into the lower elevations; occasionally, flocks wander well out onto the plains in search of food. These finches may associate with Red Crossbills and Evening Grosbeaks in winter flocks.

Description: The Cassin's Finch is one of three similar rosy-colored finches of the genus Carpodacus found in North America. This finch is a chunky, sparrow-sized bird (5.0 to 6.5 inches in length) with a large head, conical bill, and deeply notched tail. Sexes differ. Males have a bright red crown that contrasts with the brown on the rest of their head and hindneck. The crown feathers are habitually raised to produce a short, spiky crest. Back and scapular feathers are brown with dark centers, edged with pink; the rump is pinkish, and the tail and wings are dark brown. Chin, throat, sides of the neck, and upper breast are rosy pink. Belly and undertail coverts are white, with sharply defined dark streaks on the undertail coverts. Flanks and sides of the belly are buff-colored with fine streaks.

The throat, breast, flanks, and undertail coverts of the females and first-year males are white with distinct brown streaks. The face shows a faint supercilium and moustache stripe. Head, hindneck, back, and scapulars are brown with darker brown streaking. Wings and tail match the adult male. Male Cassin's Finches attain full breeding plumage in their second winter.

Features that distinguish Cassin's Finches of both sexes and all ages from the very similar Purple Finch (Carpodacus purpureus) and the House Finch (C. mexicanus) are the slightly larger size of the Cassin's Finch and its proportionally longer bill. The ridge on the upper mandible of the Cassin’s bill is relatively straight except at the tip, but the bill of the Purple Finch tends to be evenly curved. House Finches have short and stubby bills compared to those of Cassin's and Purple finches. House Finches also tend to have slimmer and smaller heads than either the Purple or Cassin's finch.

The facial pattern of the female Cassin's Finch falls midway between the Purple Finch, with its bold supercilium and dark malar stripe, and the nearly unmarked face of the House Finch. Undertail coverts of both House and Cassin's finches are streaked, narrower, and sharper than they are on the unmarked Purple Finch. The streaking on the breast of Cassin's females contrasts more with the white background than the broader and blurry streaks found on House and Purple finches.

The male Cassin's Finch is most similar to male Purple Finches, because it can be more easily distinguished from male House Finches by the restriction of the red coloring to its forehead, throat, upper breast, and rump. Male House Finches also sport a greater extent of brown streaking on their lower breast and flanks. The contrast of the Cassin's Finch's red crown with its brown hindneck and, to a lesser extent, the red on the breast and flanks separate this bird from the Purple Finch.

Cassin's Finches are accomplished mimics, often adding a terminal string of phrases typically uttered by Red Crossbills, Pine Siskins, Northern Flickers, and Steller's Jays to their warbled songs.

Attracting Finches

Visit Shaw Creek Bird Supply to see our selection of Cassin's Finch Feeders.

Copyright © 2003 Shaw Creek Bird Supply