It can be easy to overlook the resident House Finch.
The small brown songbird with splashes of red color on its head and breast is common in the United States. It can be found year-round in yards, foraging for food on the ground, at feeders, or perched in trees and shrubs.
In spring, our eyes turn toward the brilliant-colored warblers as they migrate north to their breeding grounds.
As the season turns to summer, we marvel at colorful Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and Baltimore Orioles raising their young.
And in fall, we keep watch over wetlands as shorebirds like Dunlins and Sanderlings migrate south and waterfowl appear from their northern habitats.
In winter, we look for Pine Siskins and Dark-eyed Juncos on snow-covered tree branches as they search for food.
But the House Finch with its cheerful warbling song, whether in bright red plumage or dull brown, is always a welcome sight in our yard.
