Michigan’s unique geography, stretching from the urban centers of the southeast to the rugged boreal forests of the Upper Peninsula (U.P.), creates a diverse haven for birdlife.
Among the most colorful and charismatic residents are the finches. Whether you are filling a feeder in a Detroit suburb or hiking the jack pine plains near Grayling, you have the chance to spot these energetic songbirds.
Identifying the various types of finches in Michigan requires understanding the state’s dual nature. While some species are permanent residents found in every county, others are “irruptive” migrants—nomads that descend from Canada into the U.P. and northern Lower Peninsula in search of cones and seeds.
Key Insight: The “Winter Finch Forecast” is a crucial tool for Michigan birders. It predicts which northern species (like Redpolls and Grosbeaks) will move south based on seed crop failures in the boreal forest.
Here is your guide to the ten finch species found across the Great Lakes State, identifying where and when to look for them.
1. American Goldfinch
The American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) is a familiar sight across both peninsulas and is Michigan’s state bird (though technically the Robin holds the official title, the Goldfinch is the designated “state bird of peace”). In summer, males are unmistakable with their brilliant lemon-yellow bodies and black caps, often seen perching on thistles in open meadows and roadsides.
However, winter brings a challenge for novice birders. As the snow falls, these birds molt into a drab olive-brown plumage to blend in with dormant vegetation. Many Michiganders mistakenly believe their goldfinches have migrated south, but they are often still there, just wearing their winter coats. You can identify them year-round by their conical bills, notched tails, and white wing bars.
How to Attract Them:
- Feeder: Tube feeders with small ports or mesh “sock” feeders.
- Seed: Nyjer (thistle) or sunflower chips.
- Habitat: Open fields and gardens; they love native plants like Coneflower and Black-eyed Susan.
2. House Finch
If you live in the Lower Peninsula, particularly in urban areas like Detroit, Grand Rapids, or Lansing, the House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) is likely your most frequent visitor. Originally a bird of the American West, this adaptable species has thrived in Michigan’s suburbs and cities since its introduction to the east.
The male adds a splash of color to gray winter days with his rosy-red head and breast. The female is a streaky brown, lacking the bright colors. Interestingly, the intensity of the male’s red is diet-dependent. Males that consume more carotenoid-rich foods during their molt will appear a deep strawberry red, while those with poor diets may look orange or even yellow.
2..1 Health Watch
House Finches are susceptible to mycoplasmal conjunctivitis, a bacterial eye disease that causes swollen, crusty eyes. This spreads easily at crowded feeders.
Important Note: If you see a finch with swollen eyes, take your feeders down immediately. Clean them with a 10% bleach solution and keep them down for two weeks to stop the spread.
3. Purple Finch
Distinguishing the Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus) from the House Finch is a common challenge. While House Finches dominate the cities, Purple Finches are the true residents of Michigan’s northern forests. They breed in the U.P. and northern Lower Peninsula, migrating south into southern Michigan backyards during winter.
Despite the name, the male is not truly purple; he is a rich, raspberry red. Naturalist Roger Tory Peterson described the Purple Finch as looking like a “sparrow dipped in raspberry juice,” whereas the House Finch looks like the red was just painted on its face and breast.
Comparison: House Finch vs. Purple Finch
| Feature | House Finch | Purple Finch |
| Range in MI | Common in southern cities/suburbs | Breeds in North; winters in South |
| Red Color | Face and breast only | Washed over entire head and back |
| Flanks | Heavy, dark brown streaks | Clean, faint, or no streaking |
| Head Shape | Round and smooth | Slight crest or peak often visible |
| Bill Shape | Curved upper ridge | Straight, triangular profile |
4. Cassin’s Finch
The Cassin’s Finch (Haemorhous cassinii) is a bird of the western mountains and is considered an accidental vagrant in Michigan. While they look quite similar to the Purple Finch, spotting one in the Great Lakes region is an extremely rare event.
If you spot a bird that looks like a Purple Finch but has a distinct, bright crimson cap (“toupee”) contrasting with a paler neck, you may have found a rarity. They are slightly larger and longer-billed than their cousins.
- Status: Rare/Accidental.
- Identification: Look for fine, crisp streaks on the chest and a peaked head.
- Action: If you suspect a Cassin’s Finch, take a photo and report it to Michigan birding forums for verification.
5. Pine Siskin
The Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus) is a feisty, nomadic finch that brings chaotic energy to Michigan feeders. These birds are classic “irruptive” migrants. In years where the cone crops fail in Canada, thousands of siskins may flood into the state, from the Keweenaw Peninsula down to the Ohio border.
At first glance, they look like small, streaky brown sparrows. However, look closer for the flashes of yellow in their wings and tail, which are distinct when they flutter or fly.
5..1 Feeder Behavior
Despite being smaller than goldfinches, Pine Siskins are notoriously aggressive. They will often lower their heads, spread their wings (mantling), and open their bills to defend a prime spot on a thistle feeder against larger birds.
Identification Checklist:
- Very sharp, pointed bill (narrower than a Goldfinch).
- Heavy, dark streaking over the entire body.
- Distinctive rasping call that sounds like a watch being wound (zzzzzzzt).
6. Evening Grosbeak
The Evening Grosbeak (Coccothraustes vespertinus) is often called the “holy grail” of winter feeder birds in Michigan. Roughly the size of a Starling, this stocky bird features a massive, pale conical bill that gives it a heavy-headed look. The male is spectacular, with a mustard-yellow body, black and white wings, and a prominent yellow eyebrow.
Historically, these birds were common winter visitors, but populations have declined significantly. Today, they are most reliably seen in the Upper Peninsula during winter, usually around feeders stocked with black oil sunflower seeds.
- Best Locations: Northern U.P. counties (Marquette, Keweenaw, Chippewa).
- Diet: Sunflower seeds, maple seeds, and box elder seeds.
- Sound: A loud, piercing clee-ip call.
7. Red Crossbill
The Red Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra) is a specialized finch found in Michigan’s coniferous forests, particularly in the pine barrens of the northern Lower Peninsula and throughout the U.P. As their name implies, the tips of their mandibles cross over each other. This is a specialized tool allowing them to pry open tough pine scales to extract seeds.
These birds are highly nomadic, moving constantly to find heavy cone crops. Males are a brick-red or terracotta color, while females are olive-green. They are notoriously difficult to spot because they stay high in the canopy.
7..1 The “Type” Phenomenon
Red Crossbills are classified into different “Types” based on flight calls, each specialized for different trees. In Michigan, you might encounter Type 2 (Ponderosa Pine, but adaptable) or Type 4 (Douglas Fir), among others passing through.
Pro Tip: Listen for their flight calls—a sharp, repeated jip-jip-jip—as they fly overhead in tight flocks.
8. White-Winged Crossbill
While the Red Crossbill is an occasional resident, the White-Winged Crossbill (Loxia leucoptera) is a true boreal nomad. These birds prefer spruce and tamarack bogs, making the vast wetlands of the Upper Peninsula their primary Michigan haunt.
Visually, they are distinct from their Red cousins. The male is a rosier, pink-red color, and both sexes display two bold, broad white wing bars that are visible even from a distance. Their crossed mandibles are thinner and more delicate, perfectly adapted for prying into the smaller, softer cones of Black Spruce and Tamarack trees.
Where to Look:
- Habitat: Spruce bogs and Tamarack stands in the U.P.
- Irruptions: During major irruption years, they may venture south into cemeteries and arboretums in the Lower Peninsula where ornamental spruces are planted.
9. Common Redpoll
The Common Redpoll (Acanthis flammea) is a tiny, energetic visitor from the high Arctic tundra. Like the Snowy Owl, this bird generally only comes to Michigan during winter. They are well-adapted to extreme cold and are a common sight in the U.P. and northern Lower Peninsula during irruption years.
These birds are small and frosty-looking, with brown streaks and a characteristic bright red patch on their forehead (the “poll”). Males may also show a pinkish wash on their breast. They are restless foragers, often seen feeding on catkins in birch or alder trees.
Common Redpoll vs. House Finch
- Chin: Redpolls have a small black chin patch; House Finches do not.
- Size: Redpolls are significantly smaller and more “dainty.”
- Range: Redpolls are winter-only visitors; House Finches are year-round residents.
10. Lesser Goldfinch (Rare Vagrant)
The Lesser Goldfinch (Spinus psaltria) is a bird of the American Southwest and is considered a rare vagrant in Michigan. While American Goldfinches are everywhere, a Lesser Goldfinch sighting is an event that draws birders from across the state.
They are slightly smaller than the American Goldfinch. Males seen in the east would likely be the “black-backed” variety, featuring a glossy black cap and back that contrasts with bright yellow underparts. Unlike the American Goldfinch, the Lesser Goldfinch retains its yellow plumage year-round.
Identification Checklist:
- Back Color: Black or Green (males) vs. Yellow (American Goldfinch males in summer).
- Cap: Black cap extends past the eye.
- Call: A plaintive, descending whistle.
If you spot a goldfinch in Michigan that seems “too yellow” for a winter day, check its back and cap closely—you might be looking at a rare visitor from the west.
