Attracting birds to your garden is a great way to boost the vibrancy of your outdoor space and make it a haven for wildlife. One of the easiest bird species to attract is the cheerful house finch, which can be spotted in gardens across North America all year round. Whether you’re interested in learning more about what these birds need from their habitats or curious about how having them around might benefit your garden, this post will provide some insight into why house finches are such an asset!
Are house finches good to have around?
Having house finches around can be a delight for both nature and bird enthusiasts. Not only are they beautiful birds, adding a splash of color to our yards and gardens, but their friendly demeanor and willingness to interact with other birds and animals make them great visitors.
House finches often flock together as small groups in an area that has a plentiful food supply, usually lovebugs and seeds from flower heads. They can provide us with hours of entertainment as we watch them search for food or sing cheerful melodies from branches.
Even if you are not avidly interested in bird watching, the addition of house finches may still be welcomed due to their pest-controlling abilities; they will quickly devour pesky insects such as aphids or mosquitoes that may otherwise harm your garden or backyard plants!
Where should I put a finch house?
When trying to choose the right place to hang a finch house, think about the environment in which they will thrive. An ideal spot should have full sun exposure, be near shrubs or trees, and provide protection from wind and rain.
If possible, pick a spot that is easily visible to enjoy watching your new feathered friends. Also, consider the safety of your finches by providing them with plenty of space between the house and free-roaming cats or other predators. For maximum success, you should hang the house between four to five feet off the ground on a sturdy pole.
With both an enjoyable and safe habitat for them, your finches will soon make themselves at home!
Should I remove the house finch nest?
The dotted beauty of a house finch nest draped in a tree branch can be mesmerizing, and very rarely is it necessary to remove one.
Generally, if the nest does not obstruct your path or cause any harm to you or your property when left untouched, it is best to leave the feathered family alone. After all, it is against the law in some locations to intentionally damage or destroy these nests. If you must remove them because of concerns for safety due to their location, always do so cautiously and never toss the egg or young chicks from the nest – instead make sure they are brought to a nearby rehabilitation center.
It might take more patience and effort but reward nonetheless with humane treatment for all involved!
How long do House Finches stay in the nest?
House Finches typically spend around two weeks in the nest from the time they hatch until the time they fledge when they finally take their first flight. During that time, both the female and the male parents of a House Finch busy themselves providing food, warmth, and protection to the youngster. This is a very important period for these birds as it will teach them to survive and protect themselves on their own after leaving the nest.
During this time, you might see parents gathering food and bringing it back to feed their young. It is truly an incredible sight.
What do house finches use for nests?
House finches are often seen perched upon telephone lines, or foraging in residential bird feeders. These small birds use several different materials to construct their nests – anything from dead twigs and bark to human-made items such as hair, string, wool, and plant fibers.
They may borrow from other birds’ abandoned nests to build a new one of their own. They may line the inner walls of their nest with softer items such as lichens, feathers, and downy material collected from soft sources like dandelions and cottonwoods. Together these materials create a strong and insulated space for the male and female finch pair to have their young inside.
The Last Word: The Benefits of Having a House Finch Nest in Your Garden
With the increasing popularity of house finches, having one nest in your garden can be a wonderful sight to witness and can bring so much life into your backyard.
They are a beautiful species of birds that might not instantly stand out to you, but looking more closely at them will leave you mesmerized by their stunning appearance and captivating behavior. Beyond this, they provide numerous benefits such as natural insect control and even add an extra layer of security around your home.
On top of all this, they’re also incredibly tidy tenants! As long as you have the right kind of bird feeder, there won’t be too many messes or disturbances in your garden. All in all, nurturing house finches is a great move for anyone that wants their garden to be teeming with life and activity.
