[6] As a result, the colors range from pale straw-yellow through bright orange (both rare) to deep, intense red.

The house finch's songs typically consist of a series of high-pitched musical jumbles ending with a distinct high note, wheer.

Calls from flight include a soft cheet or wheat, with perched birds giving a more drawn-out version.

[2][7] House finches are mainly permanent residents throughout their range, some birds migrate to the south, with adult females moving longer distances than males.

[4] Analyses of nest records from house finches in California spanning more than a century found that egg‐laying occurred significantly earlier in warmer springs.

[9] Originally only a resident of Mexico and the southwestern United States, house finches were introduced to eastern North America in the 1940s.

They have since become naturalized; in largely unforested land across the eastern U.S. they have displaced the native purple finch and even the non-native house sparrow.

[12] Instances of naturalization originating in escapes or releases of cage birds have been recorded in Europe, such as in 2020 in Murcia, (Spain).

The house finch is known to damage orchard fruit and consume commercially grown grain, but is generally considered an annoyance rather than a significant pest.

[15] Nests are made in cavities, including openings in buildings, hanging plants, and other cup-shaped outdoor decorations.

He may then present the female with choice bits of food, and if she mimics the behavior of a hungry chick, he may feed her.

[26] In 2012, house finches positive for West Nile virus were found in northwestern Riverside County, CA.