Finches In Illinois: 11 Species You Should Look Out For

Are you looking for some birds that will enchant you while you are in the comfort of your home?

Then set up your backyard feeder with a good camera and you will undoubtedly get a visit from your colorful finch friends.

Finches are the type of songbirds usually round and small to medium-sized.

From its rounded figure to its colorful plumage, every characteristic of this species makes it fun to watch.

Finches in Illinois are of 11 species and each of them has their distinctive features.

In this article, you will get to have a basic idea about these birds that will help you identify them the next time you come across one of them.

Without further ado, scroll through and know your favorite finch in Illinois.

Stunning Presence of Finches in Illinois

Despite the size of the finches, these highly social birds can be easily spotted. If you want to see them up close then get your backyard feeder filled with sunflower seeds and enough water.

And voila! You might be one of the lucky ones to enjoy Finches in Illinois.

House Finch

Source: @jennybowlden_photography

Scientific Name: Haemorhous mexicanus
Size: 12.5 to 15 cm (5 to 6 in)
Locality: Western North America, Hawaii
Status: Least Concern
Breeding Season: Between March and August.

The House Finch, a member of Fringillidae is usually a permanent resident throughout the year. Nonetheless, some of them do migrate to the south. This species is known for its melodic songs and their noisy callings. It’s a delight to be a house finch observer for their colorful song and lively behavior. They might get infected due to some parasitic infections that can create a huge decline in their population. But other than this they are quite well protected.

Recognition

This species possesses a long and brown tail and their wings are brown with deep gray hues all over them. Adult males have reddish shades all over their heads, neck, and shoulders that make them easy to spot. The females, on the other hand, are different in color and are mostly brown with streaked underparts.

Habitat

Originally, the House Finches were native to the western part of the US. However, in the early 1940s, a small amount of this species came to the northern part and rapidly expanded their growth throughout this part.

Purple Finch

Source: @ac_birds

Scientific Name: Haemorhous purpureus
Size: 12 to 16 cm (4.7 to 6.3 in)
Locality: Canada and the Northeastern United States
Status: Least Concern
Breeding Season: April to August

Purple finches make their existence a delightful presence to bird enthusiasts with their striking plumage and beautiful calling. Purple finches in Illinois are easy to spot during their migration. But some of them do like to winter in this area. This species is usually social and can form small to large flocks during the non-breeding season.

Recognition

The female and male look almost similar in appearance except for their color differences. Rather than pure purple, adult males have reddish-purple colors on their heads with a pale belly. Their backs and wings are brown. Adult females, on the contrary, have brown streaks all over their body. Both sexes have brown tails.

Habitat

Purple finches are forages on seeds and berries, hence, they are found in evergreen or coniferous and mixed forests. This species is found nesting on horizontal branches. Most of the birds are permanent residents throughout the year, but some of the birds from northern Canada migrate to the southern part of the US.

American Goldfinch

Source: @jc_wings

Scientific Name: Spinus tristis
Size: 19 to 22 cm (7.5 to 8.7 in)
Locality: North America
Status: Least Concern
Breeding Season: Late June, Early July, August, September

American Goldfinch, a predominantly granivorous species belong to the finch family. During the non-breeding season, it goes around in flocks. This species is easily detectable as it is often a common visitor of the residential areas looking for bird feeders, especially during winter. It is distinctive for its bright plumage, unique flight pattern, and cheerful songs.

Recognition

Identifying an American Goldfinch is easy due to its usual strikingly bright yellow and black plumage. Sexual dimorphism is found only in the color of the plumage as the females have duller shades of yellow underparts and brown upperparts. However, during autumn, their plumage becomes almost similar in color. Both sexes have small beaks that are conical and pink most times of the year.

Habitat

This species thrive in open areas and can be found in open woodlands as well. It doesn’t usually change its habitat preference even during their autumn and spring migration. They are available near open fields, flood plains, and feeders as well.

Pine Siskin

Source: @_josh.morris

Scientific Name: Spinus pinus
Size: 11 to 14 cm (4.3 to 5.5 in)
Locality: North America
Status: Least Concern
Breeding Season: Between March and May

Pine Siskins are known for their high endurance during winter which is almost 40% higher than the birds of their size. They usually protect their offspring from the cold as well. However, they suffered a decline in number due to several issues in nature. This can be avoided if their habitat is maintained.

Recognition

Patterned and shaped like sparrows, this species is almost the same size as a sparrow as well. This is one of the only finch species that have similar appearances between both sexes. The adults have brown-streaked bodies with yellow patches on their wings and tails. Sometimes they have white stripes on their wings as well.

Habitat

Getting a chance to spot this finch species in Illinois is not that hard during winter. As per its name, this species is available in pine forests, open conifer forests, deciduous trees, etc. They can be spotted foraging around open forest canopies, meadows, grasslands, weedy fields, etc. Pine Siskin flies around their habitat a lot, however, their nest is well hidden.

Red Crossbill

Source: @mkklnn.jpg

Scientific Name: Loxia curvirostra
Size: 20 cm (7.9 in)
Locality: Canada, North America, and Eurasia
Status: Least Concern
Breeding Season: Late Summer to Early Autumn and/or Late Winter to Early Spring.

The Red crossbill also known as the common crossbill is popular for its unique mandibles and their eating habits. As the name suggests, their beaks look somewhat similar to crossed fingers. The adults can open up cones with their beaks. This is the reason why, unlike most songbirds, they feed seeds to their young ones instead of insects.

Recognition

Known for its unique bill adaptation, Red Crossbill looks almost similar to a parrot, Scottish, and Cassia crossbills. Adult males are unique among other crossbill species for their distinctive dark brownish-black wings and red or orange-colored bodies. Females on the other hand are a bit yellow and brown. Both sexes have twisted beaks that make it easier for them to consume pines.

Habitat

Spotted in the north of Illinois, this species is not usually found in the state all year round. It is usually found around this area during winter in various coniferous forests. However, they are permanent residents across North America and Eurasia. They can be found roaming around roadsides as well.

Evening Grosbeak

Source: @kristarobertsgeary

Scientific Name: Hesperiphona vespertina
Size: 16 to 22 cm (6.3 to 8.7 in)
Locality: Canada, the Western part of the US, and Mexico
Status: Vulnerable
Breeding Season: Mid spring

The genus of the Evening Grosbeak Hesperiphona arrived from Ancient Greek and Latin words ‘evening’ and ‘cry’. Their unique appearance makes them one of the favorites of the bird watchers. Unfortunately, they are the only ones classified as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)’s list of finches in Illinois.

Recognition

Being one of the heaviest finches, this species looks similar to the Eurasian hawfinch. It is large-bodied with thick, powerful, and conical bills. They have full-rounded chests with comparatively short tails. Adult males have vivid yellow-colored bodies and foreheads, whereas females have olive-brown ones. Both of them have white patches on their wings.

Habitat

Being highly social, these birds are often seen in flocks, especially during winter. Nonetheless, they are primarily seen in coniferous and mixed forests and western mountainous areas. They forage around trees, bushes, and ground. Depending on the availability of cone crops they migrate to the south of the US.

Common Redpoll

Source: @ultrabirds

Scientific Name: Acanthis flammea
Size: 11.5 to 14 cm (4.5 to 5.5 in)
Locality: Northern Europe and Asia to Northern North America, Greenland, and Iceland
Status: Least Concern
Breeding Season: Mid-March Through April.

Despite the small size of the Common Redpoll, this species has good resilience and can even survive the bleak weather of Arctic Tundra landscapes. Known as “winter finches”, these species are found mostly during winter in Illinois. Their flocks are usually large and can consist of up to several hundred members.

Recognition

This species is the larger and paler version of the lesser Redpoll. Both sexes of the Common Redpoll look almost similar. Male adults have a bright crimson-colored crown with streaks in pink hues across their breasts and rump. Females are mostly similar but a bit on the darker shade.

Habitat

Being a partially migratory species, during late autumn it moves southward and moves northward in March and April. But habitually it lives in boreal forests, willow flats, open weedy fields, and nests in trees or bushes. During winter they sometimes visit backyard bird feeders as well.

Pine Grosbeak

Source: @moniquedao.photography

Scientific Name: Pinicola enucleator
Size: 20 to 25.5 cm (7.9 to 10.0 in)
Locality: Northern Eurasia and North America
Status: Least Concern
Breeding Season: Summer

The Pine Grosbeak is one of the largest among the northern finch species. However, they have now become almost a rare sighting in Illinois. It belongs to the irruptive species and can fly long distances for food availability. Because of their vibrant plumage, they are sought after by the bird watchers.

Recognition

With a large and plump body, this species is adorably round-headed and stubbier than most other finch species. Adult males have bright rose-red heads and gray bodies with red hues. Adult females, on the other hand, have a grayish back and underparts with a bit of orange and yellow on their heads and rump.

Habitat

This species typically remains in their habitats or near their migration and breeding grounds all year round. It prefers boreal forests. However, it was seen in coniferous forests, open spaces, subalpine forests, and other woodlands as well. Depending on the food availability, Pine Grosbeak can wander great seasonal distances as well.

Two-Barred Crossbill

Source: @suemaccallumstewart

Scientific Name: Loxia leucoptera
Size: 17 cm (6.7 in)
Locality: Alaska, Canada, the Northernmost United States, and Northeast Europe
Status: Least Concern
Breeding Season: From February to Mid-May

Being an opportunistic breeder, the Two-Barred Crossbill aka White-Winged Crossbill can breed any time of the year. However, their nesting conditions and food availability must be met. As the breeding period varies, there are certain differences in their aging and unusual molt. In Illinois, this species is spotted mostly during winter.

Recognition

As per the species name, it is characterized by its strong and cross-looking mandibles. Most adult males are red or pinkish whereas the adult females are green or yellow. Moreover, they have white barred wings that make them distinct from other crossbills. However, there are certain variations in color as well.

Habitat

Two-Barred Crossbills predominantly live in one place. However, there are irregular long-distance migrations among this species as well. During this period, it inhabits hemlock forests, weedy fields, and sometimes feeders as well. However, most of the time, it prefers living in coniferous forests, boreal forests, and tamarack.

Arctic Redpoll

Source: @annmlarsen

Scientific Name: Acanthis hornemanni
Size: 12 to 14 cm (4.7 to 5.5 in)
Locality: High Arctic Regions of Canada, Alaska, Greenland, and Northern Eurasia
Status: Secure
Breeding Season: Between May and July.

The Arctic Redpoll is similar to the Common Redpoll in both its appearance and its habitat preference. This small species is known as “Arctic Redpoll” in Europe while in North America it is known as “Hoary Redpoll”. It is usually found during winter in the northern part of Illinois.

Recognition

Regarding the aspect of appearance, the main difference between a Common Redpoll and an Arctic Redpoll is that the latter is generally paler. This species looks adorable with its fluffy plumage and small beaks. Adult males are strikingly white-bodied with a matte gray tail and wings and a little patch of redness on the forecrown. Adult females are basically the same but duller.

Habitat

This partially migratory species usually nests in shrubs or stunted areas. While migrating it moves southwards during November and north during March and April. Depending on their food availability, usually, it winters in the Arctic part. Occasionally it is found foraging around bird feeders.

Gray-Crowned Rosy-Finch

Source: @photon_addict

Scientific Name: Leucosticte tephrocotis
Size: 14 to 16 cm (5.5 to 6.3 in)
Locality: Alaska, Western Canada, and the United States
Status: Least Concern
Breeding Season: Between Late April and July/August.

The Gray-Crowned Rosy-Finch is hardly ever seen around Illinois because of its preference for habitat in remote areas. They live in only their specific desirable areas. It is sometimes seen foraging on the ground during summer. During winter, however, it forages on seeds from various sources.

Recognition

Adult males and adult females of this species are similar in color. Adult males have a rich brown color with distinctive pink hues on the body. As per the name, it has gray on its head like a crown and a deep black forecrown and throat. The only difference between Adult males and females is that the latter has less pink on its body.

Habitat

The population of this species is stable. However, due to its remote, rocky, and mountainous habitat, most people can not easily spot it. They can be seen around ice slopes, meadows, and during winter in open low elevated open areas.

Concluding Thoughts

With all our brief introductions, analysis, and recognition marks the discussion about Finches in Illinois has come to an end.

There are some species of this particular bird that are endangered, vulnerable, or even extinct, however, most of them are listed as least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Nonetheless, even the enlisted least concerned birds should be looked after.

While the state of Illinois has taken proper measures to establish conservation zones and policies, not all places share the same concern for this species.

Henceforth, as avid fans and admirers of this species, we all should come forth and take up the responsibility of looking after them.

Similar Post:

Audio Credits: xeno-canto

Finches In Illinois: 11 Species You Should Look Out For