Haemorhous cassinii
The Cassin's Finch is a striking songbird of western North America's coniferous forests, often mistaken for its close relatives, the Purple Finch and House Finch. Males are distinguished by their bright, diffuse rosy-red crown that extends onto the breast and rump, contrasting with a streaked back and flanks. Females, in contrast, are primarily streaky brown with a faint eyebrow and clean, unstreaked undertail coverts, lacking any red coloration. Adults measure approximately 15-16 cm (5.9-6.3...
Primarily inhabits montane coniferous forests and open woodlands at higher elevations, especially those dominated by fir, spruce, and pine.
Primarily feeds on seeds from conifers (pine, fir, spruce) and various forbs, tree buds (especially aspen), and occasionally consumes insects such as aphids and caterpillars. Forages by gleaning from vegetation or on the ground.
Cassin's Finches are active during the day, foraging primarily in the canopy of coniferous trees, gleaning seeds from cones, buds, and occasionally insects from bark. Males establish territories through vigorous singing from prominent treetops and may perform a fluttering display flight during co...
The breeding range of the Cassin's Finch spans western North America, extending from southern British Columbia and Alberta south through the Rocky Mountains to Arizona and New Mexico, and west through the Cascade Range of Oregon and Washington to the Sierra Nevada of California. During winter, mo...
Least Concern
- The Cassin's Finch was named in honor of John Cassin, a prominent American ornithologist of the 19th century. - It can be distinguished from the very similar Purple Finch by its flatter head profile and the male's brighter, more restricted red crown. - Unlike its close relatives, it is a true s...