An Adult Male House Finch – such a beauty :O)
From allaboutbirds.org: The red of a male House Finch comes from pigments contained in its food during molt (birds can’t make bright red or yellow colors directly). So the more pigment in the food, the redder the male. This is why people sometimes see orange or yellowish male House Finches. Females prefer to mate with the reddest male they can find, perhaps raising the chances they get a capable mate who can do his part in feeding the nestlings. As always, click on the photo to enlarge and enjoy further!
Adult Male House Finch – click photo to enlarge and enjoy further!
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Interesting facts about the color and a lovely photo.. he is so pretty don’t you agree that he should have a more glamorous name than “House Finch”?
I agree Vicki! I have no idea where they got the name House Finch. I’ve never seen them in anyone’s house. They are just as wild as any other small bird I’ve seen. Maybe when they were brought over they started out as house pets? I’ll have to look that one up.
Lovely capture!
Thank you Pat! :O)