Cassin's finch (Haemorhous cassinii) is a bird in the finch family, Fringillidae. This species and the other "American rosefinches" are placed in the genus Haemorhous.
Taxonomy
This bird was named after John Cassin, who was a curator at the Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences.
Description
Measurements:
- Length: 6.3 in (16 cm)
- Weight: 0.8–1.2 oz (24–34 g)
- Wingspan: 9.8–10.6 in (25–27 cm)
Adults have a short forked brown tail and brown wings. They have a longer bill than the purple finch. Adult males are raspberry red on the head, breast, back and rump; their back and under-tail are streaked. Adult females have light brown upper-parts and light underparts with brown streaks throughout; their facial markings are less distinct than those of the female purple finch. They can have brown, red, and white eyes.
Distribution and habitat
Their breeding habitat is coniferous forest in mountains of western North America as far south as northern New Mexico and Arizona; also Southern California near Baja California. They nest in large conifers. They move to lower elevations in winter.
Some present and future threats to this species include logging, fire and fire suppression, invasive species, disease, and droughts.