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Cassin's Finch

Carpodacus cassinii ORDER: PASSERIFORMES FAMILY: FRINGILLIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Near Threatened

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Cassin

© Marie Read

Slightly larger than the other red finches in North America, the Cassin's Finch is a common bird of the western mountains.

Inside Birding
For complete information on this species, visit The Birds of North America Online.

Appearance

Finches
Finches
Typical Voice

Adult Description

  • Medium-sized finch.
  • Male rosy pink on head and chest; female brown and striped.
  • Bill relatively long and pointed.

Male Description

Cap bright pinkish red. Nape paler. Ear coverts brown. Chin, throat, and upper breast dull rose pink, grading into pinkish white on belly. Back grayish with faint reddish wash and broad dusky streaks. Rump unstreaked rose pink. Undertail coverts white with dusky streaks.

Female Description

Back and head grayish with blackish streaks. Underparts white with distinct dark streaking. Undertail coverts streaked. Auriculars dark. Pale eyering. Faint white eyestripe and faint pale malar stripe.

Immature Description

Immature identical to female.

Range Map Help

Cassin
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Similar Species

  • Purple Finch bill heavier, thicker, and less pointed. Male Purple Finch darker red over the breast and flanks, and with unstreaked undertail coverts. Female Purple Finch with brighter and more obvious white eyestripe and malar stripe, broader streaks on breast and flanks, and unstreaked undertail coverts.
  • House Finch slimmer with longer, unnotched tail, and less pointed beak. House Finch male with bright red on chest and distinctly streaked flanks. Female House Finch with blurry streaks on chest and duller gray brown face. For more discussion on distinguishing these three species, click here