House Finch Nesting (Eggs, Location + Behavior)

The house finch is a widespread and well-known songbird. It frequently visits backyards and bird feeders in central and southern North America. And, as their name suggests, they often nest on or near houses and other structures.

It is not uncommon for house finches to build their nests out of a variety of plant matter and man-made materials. Nesting sites are usually in trees, cacti, or on windowsills of houses or outbuildings.

If you’re interested in attracting house finches to your backyard, or want to learn more about this bird’s nesting habits and behavior, read on! We’ll discuss the most frequently asked questions about house finch nest building in this complete guide.

Male and female house finches feeding chicks in nest

Where do house sparrows nest?

House finches nest in a variety of places, reflecting their diversity. Common nesting sites include cacti, conifers, palm trees, rock ledges, roof overhangs, hanging planters, windowsills, and abandoned buildings. On rare occasions, finches will use another bird’s abandoned nest or nest in a tree hollow.

As you can see, house finches are not very picky. Many of their nests are located in man-made structures or near areas of human activity. The most important site features are protection from above and a solid foundation.

What does a house sparrow’s nest look like?

Home Nestle is cup-shaped and mixes plant matter and synthetic materials. On average, nests are constructed from grass stalks, leaves, fine roots, twigs, other fine plant material, feathers, string, and wool. Materials will vary depending on the location of the bird.

For example, house finches nesting in Arizona always use fresh creosote twigs while the leaves are still there. Fresh or green plant material helps prevent mites, which is why finches add more creosote to their nests when mite season is in full swing.

When mites are inactive in early spring, more dry plant material will be present in the nest. The nest lining contains softer materials such as grass and fine roots than the outside. String, paper, wool, pet hair and cigarette filters are also used for nest lining, especially in urban areas,

Close-up of a house nest with six light blue eggs

What time of year do house sparrows nest?

House finches typically nest in spring and summer between March and August. These birds have a long nesting season because they usually produce more than one brood. A single pair may have 2-6 litters per year. Although, none of the six are usually successful.

How long do house sparrows build nests?

The length of the nesting season varies slightly depending on the area in which the house sparrow nests. However, most finches nest between early March and August. The first litter usually hatches in March after a 14-day incubation period.

After another 12-19 days, the chicks can leave the nest. At this point, the female has already started preparing for the next brood.

Closeup of a perched female house finch

How do house sparrows build their nests?

The female house finches are the only nest builders. The male stays nearby and occasionally picks up nesting material, but this material is never used in the nest. The female collects various plant matter, twine, string and hair, brings it back to the nest site, and begins building the nest.

The construction process can take up to three weeks, with women most active in the morning and slowing down in the afternoon. The first nest of the season usually takes the longest to build. Late season nests are usually complete in 2-6 days.

Experience plays an important role in the speed and quality of nesting. First-time women often have difficulty adjusting to structures and positions, while experienced women work faster and more efficiently.

When do house sparrows leave the nest?

Chicks generally leave the nest 12-15 days after hatching. Both parents are involved in feeding the young. However, in the days leading up to the fledging of the chicks, the males bear most of the responsibility.

Once the brooding period is over, the female’s role slowly declines. Before the current clutch leaves the nest, she begins preparations for the next litter.

A male house finch is feeding one of his chicks

How many litters do house sparrows have?

Most house finches have more than one brood per season. On average, a pair will produce two successful broods in one nesting season. House finches can produce up to six litters, but usually only three reach the fledgling stage.

Do house finches nest in the same place every year?

Both male and female house finches typically return to the same breeding area each year. If they have previous nest sites, they are likely to reuse one of them.

A female house finch feeding her chicks in the nest

What do house sparrow eggs look like?

House finch eggs are oval and light blue, with black and purple spots usually clustered at the wider end. They have an average length of 0.6-0.8 inches and a width of 0.5-0.6 inches.

In what month do house sparrows lay eggs?

House sparrows usually lay their first brood in early March. However, the laying season may last until August or September. The length depends mostly on the area and experience of the pair.

Female (left) and male (right) house finches eat seeds from a feeder

Do house sparrows use nest boxes?

House sparrows use nest boxes. They require a 2″ diameter entryway and a 6×6″ floor. The nest box should be secured to a pole or to the side of a shed – somewhere that provides cover and cannot be easily reached by predators.

Where do house sparrows nest at night?

House finches generally stay out of the nest at night, except during incubation and brooding. Instead, they’ll find an inconspicuous spot on the foliage of a conifer, on a cactus, or under a rock ledge. They may also sleep under vents, hanging planters, or roof overhangs.

Are house sparrows nesting in the backyard?

House finches often nest in backyards. They will use ledges or vents on houses, barns and outbuildings. Hanging planters, lush ivy and discarded farm implements are other popular options. You can also provide nest boxes if you want to attract house finches to your home.