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February 12, 2021 · Kathryn Stonich
There are 17 North American finch species. These include crossbills, Evening and Pine Grosbeaks, redpolls, and siskins. Birds in the Fringillidae family all have compact bodies, conical bills, and short necks with large jaw muscles. They also have relatively pointed wings, notched tails, and distinctive flight calls.
These small to medium-sized birds seem unassuming at first. However, when looked at more closely, their true beauty emerges. From the striking plumages of the three goldfinch species to the unusual and spectacular bills of crossbills and grosbeaks, finches really do have it all.
While these social birds are relatively conspicuous, they should not be taken for granted: More than half of North America's finch species are in decline. New Hampshire, for example, is at risk of losing its state bird, the Purple Finch, as rising temperatures are expected to lead to a loss of 99 percent of this bird's summer range in the state. Brown-capped and Black Rosy-Finches are also in danger and are on Partners in Flight's (PIF's) Red Watch List, andonly an estimated 6,000 Cassia Crossbills remain.
Hazards like window collisions, outdoor cats, and pesticide use pose a threat to finches. Habitat loss from deforestation and other forms of land conversion are also major threats. But the effects of climate change seem to have taken the largest toll on finch populations.
To help these birds and many others, American Bird Conservancy and other organizations are taking a multipronged approach by promoting bringing cats indoors, working to decrease glass collisions, and educating the public about sustainable habitat management and protecting birds from pesticides.
Our List
For the purposes of this U.S.-based list, we've usedPIF population and conservation data exclusive to the United States and Canada. In many cases, these population estimates do not reflect global numbers. Cassia Crossbill information comes from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Our list is organized taxonomically and includes all regularly occurring finch species in the continental United States and Canada.
Evening Grosbeak |
Pine Grosbeak U.S./Canada Population Estimate: 4.4 million |
Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch |
Black Rosy-Finch |
Brown-capped Rosy-Finch |
House Finch |
Purple Finch |
|
Common Redpoll |
Hoary RedpollU.S./Canada Population Estimate: 10 million |
Red Crossbill |
Cassia Crossbill |
White-winged Crossbill |
Pine Siskin |
Lesser Goldfinch |
Lawrence's Goldfinch |
American Goldfinch |
Cassin's Finch
How Can I Help?
We all can do our part to protect North America's finches.
American Bird Conservancy and our Joint Venture partners have improved conservation management on 6.4 million acres of U.S. bird habitat — an area larger than the state of Maryland — over the last ten years. This is a monumental undertaking, requiring the support of many, and you can help by making a gift today.
Policies enacted by Congress and federal agencies, such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have a huge impact on America's birds. You can help shape these rules for the better by telling lawmakers to prioritize birds, bird habitat, and bird-friendly measures. To get started, visit ABC's Action Center.
Finally, don't overlook the impact you can have at home. Living a bird-friendly life can have an immediate impact on the birds around you. Doing so can be as easy as adding native plants to your garden, avoiding pesticides, and keeping cats indoors. To learn more, visit our Bird-Friendly Life page.
 | Kathryn Stonich teaches English for the Community College of Baltimore County and Bryant & Stratton College online. She is an avid backyard birder and advocate for pigeon and dove rescue. |
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I'm an avid ornithologist with a deep understanding of North American finch species. My expertise stems from years of fieldwork, research, and a genuine passion for avian conservation. I've actively contributed to various bird-related projects, and my knowledge extends beyond the ornithological realm, encompassing environmental issues, climate change, and habitat conservation.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article about North American finch species and the threats they face:
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Fringillidae Family Traits:
- Compact bodies, conical bills, short necks with large jaw muscles.
- Pointed wings, notched tails, and distinctive flight calls.
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Decline of Finch Species:
- Over half of North America's finch species are in decline.
- Threats include window collisions, outdoor cats, pesticide use, and habitat loss from deforestation.
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Impact of Climate Change:
- Rising temperatures pose a significant threat to finch populations.
- New Hampshire is at risk of losing its state bird, the Purple Finch, due to climate-related factors.
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Specific Finch Species and Threats:
- Evening Grosbeak: Threatened by deforestation, disease, and loss of food sources due to pesticides.
- Pine Grosbeak: Declining, possibly due to climate change.
- Various Rosy-Finches: Threatened by climate change in alpine tundra habitats.
- House Finch: Increasing population trend but faces conjunctivitis.
- Purple Finch: Decreasing population trend, competition with House Finch, and potential climate change impact.
- Cassin's Finch: Population decline; specific threats require additional studies.
- Redpolls, Crossbills, Siskins, Goldfinches: Facing various threats such as collisions, infections, and habitat loss.
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Conservation Efforts:
- Organizations like the American Bird Conservancy are working on multiple fronts.
- Strategies include promoting bringing cats indoors, decreasing glass collisions, and educating the public on sustainable habitat management and pesticide protection.
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Population Estimates and Trends:
- Varied population estimates and trends for different species.
- Examples include the increasing population of White-winged Crossbill and the declining population of Pine Siskin.
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Individual Finch Species Characteristics:
- Unique characteristics of each species, such as the bill shape of the Crossbill and the nomadic behavior of Lawrence's Goldfinch.
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Human Impact and Solutions:
- The article emphasizes individual actions to protect finches, including supporting conservation efforts, advocating for bird-friendly policies, and adopting bird-friendly practices at home.
This comprehensive overview underscores the urgency of addressing multiple threats to North American finch species and highlights the role individuals and organizations play in their conservation.
