Finches are a diverse group of small, often colorful songbirds found throughout Virginia. These birds include several distinct types that frequent the state’s varied landscapes. Understanding their characteristics and behaviors enhances appreciation for the natural world. This guide clarifies how to identify and attract these birds to your garden.
Common Finch Species in Virginia
The American Goldfinch is a common finch in Virginia, present year-round. Males exhibit bright yellow plumage during spring and summer, with a black cap and black wings with white markings. Females appear a duller olive yellow with brown wings. During winter, both sexes adopt a more muted, pale brown or olive coloration, though they retain their black wings and white wing bars. These small, active finches have an undulating flight pattern and often vocalize “per-CHICK-o-ree” as they fly.
House Finches are sparrow-sized birds common near human settlements in Virginia. Males display rosy red feathers on their heads, upper breasts, and rumps, with the remainder of their bodies streaked brown. Intensity varies, sometimes appearing orangish or yellowish in younger males. Females are brown with streaking below, lacking the red coloration seen in males. They are often heard singing a warbling song and gather in noisy groups.
Purple Finches are stockier than House Finches. Males have a distinctive raspberry red or wine-stained color across their heads, breasts, and backs, blending into brown wings and tails. Females are streaked brown and white on their undersides, featuring prominent facial markings including a whitish eyebrow and a dark line along the throat. They have a more uniformly colored back and a noticeable white eyebrow on females, distinguishing them from House Finches. They are irregular winter visitors to Virginia.
Where Virginia Finches Live
Finches in Virginia inhabit various environments. American Goldfinches occupy open, weedy fields, forest edges, suburban gardens, and are also found in deciduous and coniferous forests.
House Finches prefer settled habitats, common in city parks, urban centers, and residential backyards, also along forest edges and agricultural fields. They are accustomed to human activity and often nest near food sources in yards or structures.
Purple Finches are primarily found in forested areas, with a particular inclination for coniferous and mixed deciduous-coniferous woods. During winter months, when more common in Virginia, they can expand their habitat to include a wider variety of areas, such as fields, forest edges, and backyards, especially where food is readily available. Their habitat choices reflect their dietary needs and seasonal movements.
What Virginia Finches Eat
Finches in Virginia primarily eat seeds, using their conical beaks to crack them open. American Goldfinches are almost exclusively seed eaters, consuming seeds from thistle, sunflower, asters, dandelions, and various grasses. Their breeding season is later, aligning with peak seed production in June and July.
House Finches also rely on seeds, including thistles, millets, and sunflowers. They also consume fruits and tree sap during summer. Young finches are fed insects during their nestling stage.
Purple Finches share a similar diet, using their robust beaks to crush seeds and extract the inner kernel. Their diet includes seeds, buds, and berries. While seeds are a staple, seasonal shifts influence the availability of these food sources, causing finches to adapt their foraging habits.
Attracting Finches to Your Yard
To attract finches, provide appropriate food sources. Nyjer (thistle) seed is favored by American Goldfinches, House Finches, and Purple Finches. Black oil sunflower seeds are also attractive to finches. Shelled sunflower seeds are effective, as they eliminate waste from hulls.
Selecting the right feeder type increases success. Tube feeders with small openings or fine mesh socks are ideal for dispensing nyjer seed, as they prevent waste. Platform feeders or hopper feeders are suitable for black oil sunflower seeds. Placing feeders 6 to 10 feet from dense shrubbery or trees offers quick escape routes and cover from predators.
Supplementing feeders with natural plantings for additional food and shelter. Native plants like coneflowers, sunflowers, black-eyed Susans, and various native grasses produce seeds finches enjoy. Eastern Red Cedar and other dense shrubs offer roosting spots and protection. A clean, fresh water source like a bird bath is beneficial, especially in winter. Maintaining feeder cleanliness and replacing old seed regularly helps prevent disease.