Birds of the Lower Ohio River Valley in West Virginia

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FINCHES, CROSSBILLS, REDPOLLS, SISKIN, GOLDFINCH, EVENING GROSBEAK

House Finch  Carpodacus mexicanus

WINTER:  Very Common Resident.  Abundant in some years.  See Remarks section for CBC data.

SUMMER:  Very Common Resident.  See Remarks section.

MIGRATION:

 Spring:  Present status uncertain.  See Remarks section.

 Fall:  Present status uncertain.  Migratory or dispersal activity is evident during August and September.  See Remarks section.

REMARKS:

Historical Occurrence:  This species was first recorded in the winter of 1971-1972 in Jefferson Co., WV (Hall 1983).  The first record in southwestern West Virginia was on 05 February 1974 at Huntington, Cabell Co., WV (JM) (Hall 1983).  Nesting probably occurred in 1978 at Huntington, as HY birds were banded (HS) in July and August.  The first nest was found in March 1979 at Huntington (HS).  Initially recorded on the Huntington and Ona CBC's in 1979.  See Slack (1986b) regarding the establishment of this species in southwestern West Virginia.

Migration:  Banding data in 1983-1985 indicated a northward movement of wintering individuals, probably during February or March (Slack 1986b).  This data would seem to indicate a fall movement southward during this time period.  The status of migration, if present, is currently uncertain.

Banding Data:  This species showed a 153-fold increase, in winter, from 1977 to 1984 at Huntington, Cabell Co., WV (Slack 1986b).

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT DATA

Huntington, WV (1940 to 2001):        Recorded on 38% of Counts.  Total Birds:  3,636.  Range:  50 to 452.
Mason County, WV (1953 to 1976):  NO RECORDS.
Ona, WV (1962 to 2001):                  Recorded on 58% of Counts.  Total Birds:  3,867.  Range:    2 to 834.

Huntington, WV (1940 to 2001):        Number of Counts:  61.  Birds/Party Hr.:  1.2.  Party Hr./Bird:  0.3.
Mason County, WV (1953 to 2001):  NO RECORDS.
Ona, WV (1962 to 2001):                  Number of Counts:  40.  Birds/Party Hr.:  2.1.  Party Hr./Bird:  0.3.