Fringillidae bird family

Order Passeriformes · 11 selected species

Browse verified BirdLens profiles selected for complete taxonomy, substantial descriptive coverage, and visual evidence. Open a species to compare its identification notes, distribution, behavior, sounds, and maps.

American GoldfinchSpinus tristisSmall finch. Sharply pointed bill is pink in summer, grayish-brown in winter. Small head, long wings, and short, notched tail. Adult males in spring and summer are bright yellow with black forehead and wings. Females are dull yellow below and olive above with two distinct wingbars. In winter, they are drab, buffy-brown. Active and acrobatic. Sometimes in large numbers at feeders or on ground below. Found in weedy fields, cultivated areas, roadsides, orchards, and backyards.

Cassia CrossbillLoxia sinesciurisStocky, large-headed finch with unique crossed bill used to pry seeds out of lodgepole pine cones. Similar to Red Crossbill, best separated by voice, specifically the flight calls given in flight, a comparatively lower frequency, dry "dip-dip-dip". Endemic to Albion Mountains and South Hills of southern Idaho. Males are dull red or orange overall with gray or brown highlights. Females are dull olive-yellow. Immatures are streakier than adults. Sedentary, unlike most other crossbills. Often in small flocks. Rarely visits feeders.

Common ChaffinchFringilla coelebsCommon in varied wooded and forested habitats, parks, gardens, farmland with hedges and scattered trees. Forms flocks in winter; often visits garden feeders. Handsome, brightly colored male is distinctive, with bluish cowl, pink face and breast, black-and-white wing pattern (colors muted in winter). Female much drabber but shares male pattern; especially note the complex wing pattern. Both sexes have white outer tail feathers, often striking in flight such as when flushed.

Eurasian SiskinSpinus spinusSmall yellowish finch with prominent wingbars. Male is attractive and distinctive, with a yellow face and breast offset by a black cap and small chin patch. Female streaky overall, often with yellowish tones; note especially the yellow wing and tail flashes of both sexes. Inhabits mixed and coniferous woodland and forest; also found in parks and gardens, and visits seed feeders. Often in flocks, mainly in the autumn and winter, gathering at good food sources. Listen for twittering, buzzing vocalizations, including nasal, rising “tuohweee” and dry chittering.

European GoldfinchCarduelis carduelisBeautiful little finch with a sharp pink bill, cherry-red face, and brilliant black-and-yellow flashes in the wings. Juvenile (seen in late summer and autumn) has a plain head but is told easily by bold wing pattern. Uses a wide array of wooded and open habitats, from forests and gardens to steppe grasslands and meadows; often feeds on seeding thistles. Forms flocks in autumn and winter, gathering at food sources. Can be inconspicuous, but often detected by pleasant bubbling and twittering calls and song.

Gray-crowned Rosy-FinchLeucosticte tephrocotisThe most widespread rosy-finch. Body is the color of milk chocolate. Look for pink highlights in the wings, tail and belly. Several different populations; some have gray wrapping around the back of the head only above the eye, others have entirely gray cheek. Breeds at the highest elevations; descends to lower elevations in winter. Often in mixed flocks in winter with other rosy-finches. Feeds on seeds and insects. Look for them foraging on alpine snowfields. Visits feeders, primarily in winter.

HawfinchCoccothraustes coccothraustesUnique, chunky finch. Note the massive bill (steely gray in summer, pinkish in winter) and blue-gray hindneck, like a shawl on an orangey head. Broad white tail tip and white wing band show mainly in flight. Despite distinctive appearance, shy and easily overlooked. Favors mixed and deciduous mature woodland, especially with beech, oak, and hornbeam, where tends to feed and perch quietly, high in the canopy. Also feeds on the ground in autumn and winter, sometimes forming single-species flocks. Gives high-pitched “tsik!” and lower ticking calls.

Island CanarySerinus canariaRestricted to the Azores, Canary Islands, and Madeira. Slightly bigger than European Serin and yellow-green overall with a pale bill, and a dark forked tail. Has a streaky rump, but this can be hard to see. Males are greenish-yellow below while females are duller and grayer on the breast and neck. The song is very melodic and rich. Found in forests, plantations, gardens, and orchards, sometimes gathering in flocks. Introduced to the Midway Atoll, where coloration ranges from unstreaked bright yellow to almost white.

Trinidad EuphoniaEuphonia trinitatisChunky, small bird with short bill and tail. Male blue black above and on throat, bright yellow below and on forecrown. Female olive above and yellow below with grayish-white breast. Both sexes show extensive white on underside of tail. Often in pairs, with male perching and singing from tops of trees. Common in dry to humid woodlands. Common call consists of two clear, whistled notes, “tee dee.” Male distinguished from other euphonias by forecrown color and size, along with color of throat and underparts; male plumage identical to Purple-throated Euphonia. Female distinguished by presence of gray-white color in breast, along with color of undertail coverts and white underside to tail.

Trinidad EuphoniaEuphonia trinitatisChunky, small bird with short bill and tail. Male blue black above and on throat, bright yellow below and on forecrown. Female olive above and yellow below with grayish-white breast. Both sexes show extensive white on underside of tail. Often in pairs, with male perching and singing from tops of trees. Common in dry to humid woodlands. Common call consists of two clear, whistled notes, “tee dee.” Male distinguished from other euphonias by forecrown color and size, along with color of throat and underparts; male plumage identical to Purple-throated Euphonia. Female distinguished by presence of gray-white color in breast, along with color of undertail coverts and white underside to tail.

Yellow-throated EuphoniaEuphonia hirundinaceaTiny finch of tropical lowlands and foothills, mainly in humid areas. Found in forest canopy, adjacent clearings with trees, gardens. Usually in pairs, sometimes small groups that associate readily with other euphonias, especially when feeding at mistletoe. Male has rich yellow throat and underparts (lacks black throat of male Scrub Euphonia); female has pale grayish throat and yellow sides creating a vested appearance. Young male looks like female with an adult male head stuck on.