Michigan is home to a diverse selection of finch species, making it a haven for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts alike. From the familiar House Finch to the elusive Pine Grosbeak, these feathered creatures add vibrancy and beauty to the state’s natural landscapes. Michigan’s avian population includes House Finches, American Goldfinches, Evening Grosbeaks, Pine Siskins, Purple Finches, Common Redpolls, Red Crossbills, White-winged Crossbills, Hoary Redpolls, and Pine Grosbeaks. While some species are year-round residents, others migrate south during the winter, creating a dynamic and ever-changing environment for bird enthusiasts to explore. Whether it’s the vibrant colors or the melodious songs, the finches of Michigan are sure to captivate anyone lucky enough to spot them.
House Finches
Overview
House Finches are common birds found across most of the United States, including Michigan. These small finches are known for their vibrant plumage and cheerful songs. They are a joy to watch and attract to backyard feeders.
Habitat
House Finches can be found in a variety of habitats, including urban areas, suburban gardens, woodlands, and grasslands. They are versatile birds and can adapt to a wide range of environments, making them a common sight across the country.
Appearance
Male House Finches have a striking combination of red and brown feathers. Their heads, chests, and backs are covered in reddish tones, while their wings are a darker brown color. The females, on the other hand, have muted brown feathers with indistinct streaks and patterns.
Behaviors
House Finches are social birds and can often be found in small flocks. They are known for their melodic songs, which are a common sound in neighborhoods and parks. These finches are acrobatic and can be seen hopping and clinging to branches and feeders with agility. They have a varied diet, feasting on seeds, fruits, and insects.
American Goldfinches
Overview
American Goldfinches are year-round finches in Michigan and are widespread throughout the United States. These delightful birds are known for their bright yellow plumage and playful behaviors.
Habitat
American Goldfinches can be found in a variety of habitats, including open fields, meadows, gardens, and woodland edges. They are especially attracted to areas with ample sources of seeds, such as sunflower plants and thistles.
Appearance
Male American Goldfinches are easily recognizable with their vibrant yellow feathers. During the breeding season, their plumage becomes even brighter, with black accents on their wings and forehead. The females, on the other hand, have more muted yellow feathers with a touch of olive color.
Behaviors
American Goldfinches are energetic birds and can be seen flitting through the treetops in search of food. They are highly skilled in extracting seeds from plants and are often seen hanging upside down to reach their favorite snacks. These finches are also known for their distinctive flight pattern, with a series of bright dips and rises in the air.
Evening Grosbeaks
Overview
Evening Grosbeaks reside year-round at the very tip of Michigan and migrate south during the winter. These striking birds are known for their bold colors and unique beaks.
Habitat
Evening Grosbeaks prefer coniferous forests and wooded areas, where they can find an abundance of seeds and fruits. They are highly adaptable and can also be found in urban areas with mature trees.
Appearance
Male Evening Grosbeaks are brightly colored, with a vibrant yellow body, black wings, and a large white patch on their wings. They have a distinctive thick beak, which is capable of cracking open even the toughest seeds. The females have a more muted appearance, with a pale yellow body and grayish wings.
Behaviors
Evening Grosbeaks are highly social birds and are often seen in large flocks. They have a melodious song, which they use to communicate with each other. These finches are primarily seed-eaters and can be quite messy eaters, scattering seeds while feeding. They are also known to visit bird feeders, especially those stocked with sunflower seeds.
Pine Siskins
Overview
Pine Siskins are found year-round only at the very northern tip of Michigan but appear throughout the state during the winter. These small birds are known for their cheerful songs and distinctive markings.
Habitat
Pine Siskins prefer coniferous forests and are often seen in dense stands of pine trees. They rely on these trees for both nesting sites and food sources. During the winter, they expand their habitat range and can be found in a variety of locations, including suburban areas with bird feeders.
Appearance
Pine Siskins have a streaked brown appearance, with dark brown feathers on their back and lighter brown ones on their chest. Their wings have distinctive yellow markings, and their tails have forked ends. These finches are small and compact, with short, pointed beaks.
Behaviors
Pine Siskins are highly social birds and are often seen foraging in small flocks. They have a varied diet, which includes seeds, fruits, and insects. These finches have a sweet and melodious song, which they use to communicate with each other. They are also frequent visitors to bird feeders, where they can be seen dangling upside down to reach their preferred seeds.
Purple Finches
Overview
Purple Finches are found year-round in a larger northern range of Michigan and extend their habitats to other forests in the winter. These finches are known for their rich plumage and distinctive songs.
Habitat
Purple Finches prefer mixed woodlands and coniferous forests, where they can find a variety of seeds, berries, and insects. They are adaptable birds and can also be found in urban areas with mature trees.
Appearance
Male Purple Finches have a rosy-red plumage, with reddish heads, backs, and chests. Their wings have darker streaks, and their beaks are short and curved. The females have a more muted appearance, with brown feathers and white streaks on their undersides.
Behaviors
Purple Finches are highly vocal birds and can often be heard singing from treetops. They have a sweet and melodious song, which is known for its complex patterns. These finches are primarily seed-eaters and can be seen hopping and clinging to branches in their search for food. They are also known to visit bird feeders, especially those stocked with sunflower seeds.
Common Redpolls
Overview
Common Redpolls are not common in the United States and are only found during the winter in Michigan but are widespread in Canada and the Arctic. These small finches are known for their resilient nature and adaptability to harsh environments.
Habitat
Common Redpolls prefer tundra regions and can often be found in open habitats with low vegetation. They rely on a diet of seeds and buds, which they find in birch and alder trees. During migration, they may visit more urban areas with bird feeders.
Appearance
Common Redpolls have a distinctive appearance, with streaked brown plumage and a small red cap on the top of their heads. They have a white chest and belly, and their wings are marked with black streaks. These finches are small and compact, with short beaks.
Behaviors
Common Redpolls are highly social birds and can often be seen foraging in large flocks. They have a sweet and high-pitched song, which they use to communicate with each other. These finches are well-adapted to cold temperatures and can tolerate extreme conditions. They are also known to visit bird feeders, especially those stocked with nyjer and sunflower seeds.
Red Crossbills
Overview
Red Crossbills have unique beaks adapted for breaking into conifer cones and are mainly found during the winter in Michigan. These specialized finches are known for their distinctive calls and feeding behaviors.
Habitat
Red Crossbills prefer coniferous forests, where they can find an abundance of pine cones. They rely on the seeds within these cones as their primary food source. These finches can be found in both mature forests and younger stands of trees.
Appearance
Red Crossbills have a unique appearance, with a compact body and a large, crossed beak. The males have a vibrant red plumage, while the females have a more muted greenish-yellow color. These finches have short wings and long tails, which allow them to maneuver easily through the treetops.
Behaviors
Red Crossbills are highly specialized feeders and are adept at prying open conifer cones to access the seeds inside. They have a distinctive flight pattern, with a series of ascending and descending arcs. These finches are highly vocal and can often be heard emitting a variety of calls, which they use to communicate with each other. They are primarily found in small flocks and are known to visit bird feeders, especially those stocked with pine cones or seeds.
White-winged Crossbills
Overview
White-winged Crossbills have unique beaks adapted for breaking into conifer cones and are mainly found during the winter in Michigan. These skilled finches are known for their distinctive songs and flocking behaviors.
Habitat
White-winged Crossbills prefer coniferous forests, where they can find an abundance of pine cones. They rely on the seeds within these cones as their primary food source. These finches are well-adapted to harsh climates and can be found in both mature forests and younger stands of trees.
Appearance
White-winged Crossbills have a striking appearance, with a compact body and a large, crossed beak. The males have a vibrant red plumage, while the females have more muted colors with a touch of greenish-yellow. These finches have white wingbars, which are visible when their wings are spread.
Behaviors
White-winged Crossbills are highly skilled at extracting seeds from conifer cones and can often be seen prying them open with their specialized beaks. They are highly social birds and can be found in large flocks, especially during the winter months. These finches have a melodious song, which they use to communicate with each other. They are known to visit bird feeders, especially those stocked with pine cones or seeds.
Hoary Redpolls
Overview
Hoary Redpolls appear in Michigan during irruptive winter migrations and are closely related to common redpolls. These small finches are known for their resilience and adaptability to cold climates.
Habitat
Hoary Redpolls prefer open habitats with low vegetation, such as tundra and grasslands. They rely on a diet of seeds, which they find in birch and alder trees. These finches are highly adaptable and can also be found in urban areas with bird feeders.
Appearance
Hoary Redpolls have a similar appearance to common redpolls, with streaked brown plumage and a small red cap on the top of their heads. However, they have a paler appearance overall, with less contrast between their colors. These finches are small and compact, with short beaks.
Behaviors
Hoary Redpolls are highly social birds and can often be seen foraging in large flocks. They have a distinct flight pattern, with a series of undulating rises and falls. These finches have a sweet and high-pitched song, which they use to communicate with each other. They are well-adapted to cold temperatures and can tolerate extreme conditions. They are also known to visit bird feeders, especially those stocked with nyjer and sunflower seeds.
Pine Grosbeaks
Overview
Pine Grosbeaks are one of the largest finches and mainly found in Canada, but can be spotted along the far northern borders of Michigan. These striking birds are known for their bold colors and robust beaks.
Habitat
Pine Grosbeaks prefer boreal forests, where they can find an abundance of berries, seeds, and insects. They rely on mature coniferous trees for both nesting sites and food sources. They can sometimes venture into more southern areas, including Michigan, during the winter.
Appearance
Male Pine Grosbeaks have a vibrant red plumage, with a grayish-brown back and wings. Their heads and chests are a darker shade of red, and their beaks are large and sturdy. The females, on the other hand, have a more muted appearance, with grayish-brown feathers and a touch of red on their wings and tails.
Behaviors
Pine Grosbeaks are social birds and can often be seen in small flocks. They have a melodious song, which they use to communicate with each other. These finches are primarily seed and fruit eaters, and they use their robust beaks to crack open tough shells. They are known to visit bird feeders with sunflower seeds and enjoy perching in the treetops, where they can keep an eye out for food sources.