House Finchs in Hawaii

House Finchs live in Hawaii all year — introduced; abundant on all main islands. No true winter; rain falls mainly November–March on windward sides. 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.

Tropical, with wet windward slopes, dry leeward coasts and cool upland forest above 3,000 ft.

Across Hawaii, 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.

Most backyard birds are introduced species; native honeycreepers persist mostly in high-elevation forest.

• House Finchs don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as naio, ʻūlei, pōhinahina for nest sites.
• Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after August.

Of the regional native plants we track for Hawaii, these 3 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 Hawaii's winter: No true winter; rain falls mainly November–March on windward sides.

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