The House Finch is a common bird in the urban areas of southern Canada. Arising in the west, it has spread eastward. This is not a rare bird.
Yet, it is more readily accepted than other interlopers, such as the European Starling and the House Sparrow, likely owing to the male’s lovely red colouring.
That red is not manufactured by the House Finch, itself, but comes from pigments in the food it eats during moulting: the more pigment, the redder the male. It seems that females prefer the reddest male they can find, perhaps because to do so increases the odds that their mate might be good at feeding nestlings.
“I am red and ready for love.”
Beautiful – I don’t think I’ve seen one.
And what are you then saving for the 14th?
good point. When seen from above, he could be a valentine card.
Doug, an interesting point. I failed to make that connection.
Hi Alistair,
I find myself quite charmed by this, somehow.
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing this splendid picture. Who could resist him?