GAP Analysis Predicted Distribution Map

House Finch (Carpoducus mexicanus)

Species Code: CARME

Legend:
= Core Habitat
= Marginal Habitat

Breeding Range Map
The green area shows the predicted habitats for breeding only. The habitats were identified using 1991 satellite imagery, Breeding Bird Atlas (BBA), other datasets and experts throughout the state, as part of the Washington Gap Analysis Project. Habitats used during non-breeding months and migratory rest-stops were not mapped.

Metadata (Data about data or how the map was made)

Click to enlarge distribution map

Map with Breeding Bird Atlas records

Other maps & Information:

Breeding Bird Atlas
NatureMapping observations
during breeding season
NatureMapping observations
throughout the year

Abundant at lower elevations in urban/residential areas and farmlands, and in habitat adjacent to farmlands and residential areas, on both sides of the Cascades.

Core areas were those below the Silver Fir zone (west side) and below the Grand Fir zone (east side), plus the Grand Fir zone in the Blue Mountains. In the most heavily developed zones all habitats were good except bare ground, estuarine mud flats, and mid- to late-seral conifer forests. In other included forested zones, both east and west of the Cascade crest, only development, agriculture, and water/wetlands were good. In steppe zones, good habitats were development, irrigated agriculture, water/wetlands, and forests.

Washington breeders represent the widespread northern subspecies C. m. frontalis. The House Finch is a recent arrival which easily out-competes the other two Carpodacus (Cassin's Finch and Purple Finch) species in urban settings and in extensive, open agricultural areas. Construction of dams and conversion of steppe to irrigated agricultural has benefited this species, providing more wet, shrubby sites for nesting. The distribution of House Finches is strongly correlated with distribution of bird feeders.

Translated from the Washington Gap Analysis Bird Volume by Uchenna Bright
Text edited by Gussie Litwer
Webpage designed by Dave Lester