This male House Finch caught my eye through my viewfinder two days ago because he had his eye on the sky while waiting for his turn at the seed feeder.
Spring male House Finch with an eye on the sky – Canon R7, f9, 1/320, ISO 1000, +0.3 EV, Canon EF 100-400mm II at 400mm, natural light
I never did see what the male finch was looking at because I had my eye on him. It could have been his mate flying over, some other bird, or an aerial predator. I’ll never know.
What I do know is that the male House Finch is looking pretty dandy. It is springtime, after all, and he needs to impress the females of his species.
In the spring, male House Finches sport their brightest plumage to attract females, with the vibrant red feathers being especially important for impressing potential mates.
Their songs, a mix of warbles, trills, and chatters, are more frequent during this time as they announce their presence and establish their territory.
Male House Finches also engage in courtship feeding, offering food to females as a way to bond and show their ability to provide for the future nestlings.
When it comes to nesting, males typically help select the site and sing nearby to draw in a mate. Once a female picks her partner, she takes the lead in building the nest, but both parents work together to raise the young.
While males focus on showing off their plumage and singing, it’s the female who makes the final call on which male is the best fit for her.
Watching these male House Finches in spring reminds me how beautiful and fascinating nature truly is.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my House Finch photos plus facts and information about this species.
Perfect narrative; perfect pic. Thanks Mia.
Thank you. Muchly.