House Finchs in Florida

House Finchs live in Florida all year — mainly the north and center. Winter is the busy feeder season as northern migrants — goldfinches, wrens and others — arrive from October. That makes the cold months the time your yard matters most to them: their winter diet shifts toward seeds and dried fruit; sunflower and nyjer at feeders.

Humid subtropical in the north to tropical in the Keys; a wet summer and a dry winter season.

Across Florida, house finches typically nest from March–August. Nest site: ledges, hanging planters, dense conifers, vines and building nooks. Females lay 2–6 eggs, incubate for 13–14 days, and young leave the nest after 12–19 days.

Heat, humidity and summer storms: boxes need drainage holes, ventilation and shade, and nectar spoils fast.

• House Finchs don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as wax myrtle, american beautyberry, coral honeysuckle for nest sites.
• Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after August.

Of the regional native plants we track for Florida, these 8 provide food or cover house finches use:

House finches are prone to Mycoplasma conjunctivitis (swollen, crusty eyes), which spreads at feeders. Clean feeders every two weeks and take them down for a week if you see sick birds.

• Best foods: Black-oil sunflower, Hulled sunflower, Nyjer.
• In Florida's winter: Winter is the busy feeder season as northern migrants — goldfinches, wrens and others — arrive from October.

Full diet breakdown for house finches · Best feeder for house finches