House Finchs in New Hampshire
When house finches are present in New Hampshire, when they nest, which native New Hampshire plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 3b–6a yard.
- Status in New Hampshire
- Year-round resident
- Nesting window
- May–August
- Broods
- 1–6 attempts per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3b–6a
When to expect house finches in New Hampshire
House Finchs live in New Hampshire all year. Long, snowy winters; boreal species visit feeders in irruption years. 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 continental, with the White Mountains dividing the southern lowlands from northern forest.
Nesting in New Hampshire
Across New Hampshire, house finches typically nest from May–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.
Mild summers; nesting starts late May.
- House Finchs don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as eastern red cedar, serviceberry, winterberry for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after August.
Native New Hampshire plants that attract house finches
Of the regional native plants we track for New Hampshire, these 8 provide food or cover house finches use:
Dense evergreen roost cover and bluish 'berries' eaten through winter.
Early-summer berries arrive exactly when nestlings are being fed.
Deciduous holly holding red fruit into mid-winter.
Fruit clusters persist all winter as emergency food.
Red fruit heads hang on through winter.
Summer fruit and one of the top caterpillar host trees.
Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species.
Blue-black fall fruit and dense nesting cover.
Feeding house finches through the New Hampshire year
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 New Hampshire's winter: Long, snowy winters; boreal species visit feeders in irruption years.
Full diet breakdown for house finches · Best feeder for house finches
Frequently asked
Are house finches in New Hampshire year-round?
Yes. House Finchs are year-round residents in New Hampshire.
When do house finches nest in New Hampshire?
Nesting in New Hampshire typically runs May–August, with 1–6 attempts per season. Clutches are 2–6 eggs, incubated for 13–14 days.
What native plants attract house finches in New Hampshire?
Eastern red cedar, Serviceberry, Winterberry, Staghorn sumac, Smooth sumac, Black cherry, American elderberry, Arrowwood viburnum are native plants in New Hampshire that provide food or cover for house finches.
House Finchs in other regions
Other backyard birds in New Hampshire
Sources
- House Finch — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- House Finch life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- House Finch — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- eBird region overview and bar charts — New Hampshire
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
- Audubon Native Plants Database
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.