Cassin’s Finch

Cassin's Finch (Haemorhous cassinii) is a bird in the finch family, Fringillidae. This species and the other "American rosefinches" are placed in the genus Haemorhous. Their preferred breeding environment is coniferous woodland, which may be found in the highlands of western North America as far south as northern New Mexico and Arizona, as well as in Southern California close to Baja California. Large conifers serve as their nesting sites. During the winter, they descend to lower elevations. Many birds are permanent inhabitants, but some of the species' northernmost breeding birds move south as do other birds throughout the species' range. As far south as central Mexico, some non-breeding birds spend the winter.

Adults have brown wings and a short, forked brown tail. Compared to the purple finch, they have a longer bill. The head, breast, back, and rump of adult males are raspberry red; their back and undertail are streaked. Adult female purple finches have less pronounced facial markings than female purple finches. They have light brown upper parts and light underparts with brown streaks throughout. They mainly eat seeds, buds and berries, and some insects. When not nesting, they often feed in small flocks.