Maine’s woodlands and backyards come alive with the colorful presence of finches throughout the year.
These small, vibrant songbirds add both beauty and melody to our natural spaces, with several species calling the Pine Tree State home.
Maine hosts approximately 10 species of finches, including the American Goldfinch, Purple Finch, House Finch, Pine Siskin, and several types of crossbills, each with distinctive markings and behaviors that make identification an exciting challenge for birdwatchers.
The finch family showcases remarkable diversity even within Maine’s borders.
From the bright yellow American Goldfinch that brightens summer days to the specialized Red and White-winged Crossbills with their uniquely crossed bills designed for extracting seeds from pine cones, these birds have adapted to various ecological niches.
Some, like the House Finch and Purple Finch, might visit your feeders regularly, while others remain hidden treasures in Maine’s vast forests.
House Finch
The House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) is a small, colorful songbird that has become a common sight in Maine.
Originally native to western North America and Mexico, this species was introduced to the eastern United States when a small number were released on Long Island, New York in 1940.
Male House Finches display bright red coloration on their head, chest, and rump, while females are grayish-brown with streaked underparts.
The intensity and shade of red in males can vary widely, sometimes appearing more orange or yellowish depending on their diet.
These adaptable birds have successfully colonized suburban areas across Maine.
They frequently visit backyard feeders and have a cheerful, warbling song that adds pleasant ambiance to neighborhoods.
Habitat Preferences:
- Suburban neighborhoods
- Open woodlands
- Brushy field edges
- Parks and gardens
House Finches primarily eat seeds, fruits, and buds. At feeders, they show a strong preference for black oil sunflower seeds.
Their beaks are specially adapted for seed-eating, being short and conical.
The species often nests in hanging plants, building materials, or small trees near human habitation.
Females typically lay 4-5 pale blue eggs with small dark markings.
In Maine, House Finches might be confused with Purple Finches, another red finch species.
House Finches have a more slender appearance and show streaking on their sides, while Purple Finches appear stockier with a more uniform red coloration that extends further down their back.
Purple Finch
The Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus) is a beautiful songbird that can be found throughout Maine.
Despite its name, male Purple Finches aren’t truly purple but rather a raspberry or rose-red color that spreads across the head, back, and breast.
These finches are large and chunky with powerful, conical beaks that are larger than any sparrow’s.
They have a distinctive notched tail that appears short compared to their body.
How to Identify Purple Finches
Female and young male Purple Finches lack the rosy coloration and instead display brown streaking on a white background. They have a noticeable white eyebrow stripe and dark streaks on their sides.
When comparing similar species, Purple Finches can be distinguished from House Finches as the males lack distinct streaks on their sides and show more vibrant coloration, especially on their back and wings.
Habitat Preferences
Purple Finches in Maine primarily breed in coniferous and mixed forests. During winter, they may also appear in swamps and suburban areas where they often visit bird feeders.
These birds are common throughout the North and East of the United States, including Maine. They favor habitats with evergreen trees but will venture into more open areas when feeding.
Diet and Behavior
- Seeds from trees and shrubs
- Flower buds and berries
- Insects (especially during breeding season)
- Frequent visitors to backyard feeders with sunflower seeds
American Goldfinch
The American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) is a small, vibrant finch commonly found throughout Maine. Males display striking bright yellow plumage with black foreheads and wings during breeding season, while females maintain a duller yellow-green coloration.
In winter, these birds transform dramatically. Both sexes fade to yellowish-brown or gray colors, but still display distinctive field marks like bold white wing-bars and white spots on their tails, making them identifiable year-round.
Physical Characteristics:
- Small, conical bill (pink in summer, grayish-brown in winter)
- Short, notched tail
- Long wings
- Small head
- Size: 4.5-5.5 inches long
Goldfinches have a unique flying pattern described as “bouncy” or undulating. They often call while flying, making a distinctive, whiny alarm note that helps birdwatchers identify them even from a distance.
These social birds frequently gather at bird feeders, particularly those offering nyjer or sunflower seeds. Their diet consists mainly of seeds, with a special preference for thistle seeds.
Several subspecies exist, with the eastern goldfinch (S. t. tristis) being the most common in Maine. The pale goldfinch (S. t. pallidus) can occasionally be spotted as well, distinguished by its slightly different coloration.
Goldfinches are among the latest nesting birds in Maine, often waiting until mid-to-late summer when plant fibers and thistle down become plentiful for nest building.
Pine Siskin
The Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus) is a small, streaky finch that visits Maine during winter months. These birds are easily recognized by their sharp, pointed bills and short, notched tails. They typically measure 4-5 inches in length with a wingspan of about 7-9 inches.
Pine Siskins have brown-streaked bodies with subtle yellow edges on their wings and tails. This yellow coloration can be more or less visible depending on the individual bird. Their uniquely shaped bill is more slender than most finches, helping them extract seeds from pine cones and other plants.
These birds are known for their nomadic behavior, traveling widely across North America in search of food. Their movements are erratic and unpredictable, largely driven by seed availability rather than typical migration patterns.
In Maine, Pine Siskins are frequent visitors to bird feeders, especially during winter. They show a particular preference for:
- Nyjer (thistle) seeds
- Black oil sunflower seeds
- Pine seeds
Despite their sparrow-like appearance, Pine Siskins are actually finches. Their shape, actions, and calls reveal their true finch nature. The name “siskin” has Eurasian origins, where several siskin species exist.
When visiting feeders, Pine Siskins can be quite aggressive despite their small size. They often travel in flocks, creating a buzzy, twittering sound as they feed and communicate with each other.
Common Redpoll
The Common Redpoll (Acanthis flammea) is a small, acrobatic finch that occasionally visits Maine during winter months. These birds stand out with their distinctive red cap, black face, and small yellow bill surrounded by black feathers.
Male Common Redpolls display a rosy-red wash on their chest, making them easy to identify at feeders. Females and juveniles have the same red cap but lack the rosy chest coloration. Their bodies are generally streaked brown and white with two white wingbars.
These birds belong to the finch family and are well-adapted to cold environments. They breed in the arctic tundra and boreal forests far to the north of Maine. Common Redpolls have a plump body and long notched tail, giving them a distinctive silhouette.
Common Redpolls are known for their erratic migration patterns. They may appear in large numbers in Maine during certain winters, while being completely absent in others. This unpredictable movement is often related to food availability in their northern territories.
When feeding, these birds show impressive agility. They can often be seen hanging upside down to reach seeds in birch or alder catkins. At feeders, they particularly favor nyjer and sunflower seeds.
Common Redpolls have a unique adaptation for winter feeding—a special pouch in their throat where they can store seeds temporarily, allowing them to gather food quickly and retreat to a safer location to eat.
Hoary Redpoll
The Hoary Redpoll (Acanthis hornemanni) is a small finch species that occasionally visits Maine during winter months. It breeds in tundra birch forest and is known for its frosty appearance compared to its close relative, the Common Redpoll.
This petite arctic finch has several distinctive features that help with identification:
- Size: Small, plump body with a notched tail
- Bill: Short, yellow bill
- Head markings: Small red cap (smaller than Common Redpoll)
- Body color: Significantly whiter and “frostier” appearance
- Face: Black face and throat patch
Hoary Redpolls are less common in Maine than Common Redpolls. They typically appear during irregular winter irruptions when food becomes scarce in their northern habitats.
Bird watchers can spot Hoary Redpolls at feeders containing nyjer or thistle seeds.
These birds often mix with flocks of Common Redpolls, making identification challenging but rewarding for careful observers.
The Arctic or Hoary Redpoll prefers colder climates and is specially adapted to arctic conditions.
Its pale plumage and extra fluffy appearance help it survive in harsh northern environments.
Recent research suggests the Hoary Redpoll may be part of a “redpoll complex” rather than a completely separate species.
Scientists continue to study the relationships between different redpoll populations.
