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Cassin's Finch

Silhouette FinchesFinches
Cassin's FinchHaemorhous cassinii
  • ORDER: Passeriformes
  • FAMILY: Fringillidae

Basic Description

Slightly less well known than its lookalikes (House Finch and Purple Finch), the Cassin’s Finch is the characteristic rosy-tinged finch of the mountains of western North America. Small flocks twitter and forage in the tall evergreen forests and in groves of quaking aspen. Along with range and habitat, a good way to sort them out is to learn the Cassin’s Finch’s peaked head shape and thick, straight-edged bill. Males sing a rollicking song that includes mimicked calls of other birds.

More ID Info
image of range map for Cassin's Finch
Year-roundBreedingMigrationNonbreeding
Range map provided by Birds of the World
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Find This Bird

Head to mountain forests of evergreens and quaking aspen to look for Cassin’s Finches. Listen for their fast, rolling songs and be alert for flocks of small seed-eating birds—Cassin’s Finches often forage in the company of crossbills, grosbeaks, or other finches, or visit mineral deposits to eat salt.

Other Names

  • Camachuelo de Cassin (Spanish)
  • Roselin de Cassin (French)

Backyard Tips

Cassin’s Finches may come to sunflower seed feeders, especially during winter. They also visit many kinds of fruiting shrubs, including cotoneaster, mulberries, firethorn, grape, and apple. Find out more about what this bird likes to eat and what feeder is best by using the Project FeederWatch Common Feeder Birds bird list.

  • Cool Facts