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House Finch - Carpodacus mexicanus

Florida's Nonnative Wildlife. Species detail.

First year:

Extirpated year:

Established status: Populations are confirmed breeding and apparently self-sustaining for 10 or more consecutive years.

Estimated Florida range: 46 counties At least 10 years, 1 county Less than 10 years, 5 counties Not reported breeding

Statewide trend: Expanding

Threats to natives: Could out compete other native finches like the goldfinch at feeders. Also more importantly House Finches are increasingly becoming infected with conjunctivitis, Mycoplasma gallisepticum, which has caused a decline in population numbers in many areas. The disease it most likely spread at bird feeders and has been known to infect goldfinch, blue jay, and could even infect domestic poultry.

Species Account: Native to western North America. It has naturally spread eastward, and birds were also released in eastern United States, notably in New York in 1940. It occurs locally across the Panhandle and is expanding southwards. This species is considered an agricultural pest in parts of its native range and should be considered a potential pest in Florida. It has been reported in every region of the state and in 31 counties (Pranty 2001 unpublished data).

Habitats: Central or core urban area, Low density suburban development, areas peripheral to core urban areas, and small towns.

click here for description of the regions

County	First Year	Extirpated Year	Breeding status	Notes
Northwest			At least 10 years
North Central			At least 10 years
Northeast			At least 10 years
Broward	1999		Less than 10 years	Pranty 2000d
Lee	1980		Not reported breeding	Probably breeding from BBA (1986-1991)
Palm Beach	1986?		Not reported breeding	Probably breeding from BBA (1986-1991)
Pinellas	1998		Not reported breeding	Male and female, Pranty 1999c
Polk	1999		Not reported breeding	Pranty 1999b
Sarasota	1999		Not reported breeding	Pranty 1999b

References

Hill, G. E. 1993. House Finch (Carpodacus mexicanus)

James, F. C. 1997. Nonindigenous Birds. Pages 139-156 In Strangers Among Us: Impact and management of nonindigenous species in Florida. (Simberloff,D., D. Schmitz, and E. Wilson, eds.) Island Press, Washington D.C.

Pranty, B. 1994b. Field observations [spring report: March-May 1994]. Florida Field Naturalist 22:118-126.

Pranty, B. 1994c. Field observations [summer report: June to July 1994]. Florida Field Naturalist 23:19-24.

Pranty, B. 1995a. Field observations [fall report: August-November 1994]. Florida Field Naturalist 23:44-56.

Pranty, B. 1995b. Field observations [spring report: March to May 1995]. Florida Field Naturalist 23:99-108.

Pranty, B. 1996a . Field observations [winter report: December 1995- February 1996]. Florida Field Naturalist 24:83-92.

Pranty, B. 1996b. A birder's guide to Florida. American Birding Association, Inc., Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA.

Pranty, B. 1997a. Field observations [spring report: March to May 1997]. Florida Field Naturalist 25:148-158.

Pranty, B. 1997b. Field observations [fall report: August to November 1997]. Florida Field Naturalist 25:74-84.

Pranty, B. 1998a. Field observations [spring report: March to May 1998]. Florida Field Naturalist 26:128-137.

Pranty, B. 1998b. Field observations [summer report: June-July 1998]. Florida Field Naturalist 26:26-32.

Pranty, B. 1998c. Field observations [winter report: December 1997- February 1998]. Florida Field Naturalist 26:100-108.

Pranty, B. 1998d. Field observations [spring report: March-May 1998]. Florida Field Naturalist 25:128-137.

Pranty, B. 1999b. Field observations [spring report: March to May 1999]. Florida Field Naturalist 27:182-193.

Pranty, B. 2000a. Field observations [winter report: December 1999 to February 2000]. Florida Field Naturalist 28:127-137.

Pranty, B. 2000d. Field observations [SUMMER REPORT: JUNE-JULY 1999} Florida Field Naturalist 28(1):33-40, 2000.

Pranty, B. 2001a. Field observations [summer report: June-July 2000]. Florida Field Naturalist 29:33-40.

Pranty, B. 2001c. Field observations [fall report: August-November 2000]. Florida Field Naturalist 29:61-73.

Robertson, W. B., and G. E. Woolfenden. 1992. Florida bird species: an annotated list. Florida Ornithological Society, Gainesville, Florida, USA.

Stevenson, H. M., and B. H. Anderson. 1994. The birdlife of Florida. University Press of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.

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