MOURC Proceedings Archive - Finches Accepted
Duplicates
This is the 1981 to present Records Committee Proceedings archive for
The Loon, journal of the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union.
The last 2 years are available to MOU members.
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Proceedings
Species: Finches
Brambling
Pine Grosbeak
Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch
House Finch
Cassin's Finch
Lesser Goldfinch

House Finch (R) (Haemorhous mexicanus)Start Date 1936-01-01
RefFirstLastLocationCounty23CommentStatus
43:1271971indexHouse Finch Record for Minnesota
44:53-541972indexPossible House Finch in Minneapolis
153:1291980-11-211980-12-15Min-netonkaHennepin(vote 7-0, Loon 53:109) Accepted
53:1091981indexHouse Finch in Minnesota
56:1601981-08-23DuluthSt. Louis(vote 0-7). The description and sketch of the bird could fit a female House Finch, but its described flycatching behavior didn 't seem to fit this species. It was felt that the description did not fully preclude female or immature Indigo Bunting or juvenile Red Crossbill , both of which could behave as the observer described . Not Accepted
55:1171982-05-16Mountain LakeCottonwood(vote 2-5) The identification of this female was not made until a few days after the observation and only when looking through a field guide. Such a record based only on details from memory and while under the power of suggestion from a field guide is not satisfactory for such an unusual species. ● Brown-headed Nuthatch, 4117/83, Winona, Winona Co. (vote 0-7) The submitted details strongly suggested a Brown Creeper, not a nuthatch, because of its manner of feeding as it went up the tree trunks and because of its brown "well camouflaged" upperparts . Further, the back "was not bluish, but brown," which doesn't fit any species of nuthatch, all of which have bluish gray backs. Finally, even if it were a nuthatch, there was nothing to preclude the Pygmy Nuthatch, which would be much more likely in Minnesota. Not Accepted
54:411982-11-251982-11-16Howard LakeWright(vote 2-5) This bird, which may well have been a male House Finch, was only described in terms of a "dark streak through the eye ... heavy streaks on his sides," a "bright pink" rump, and "the wings and back were dark." However, all of there f~atures can be shared by some Purple Fmches, and the observer did not indicate whether she had any experience with the range in plumage variations of Purple Finch; there was also some indication that her description was influenced by the field guides. 43Not Accepted
256:1601983-12-03MankatoBlue Earth(vote 6-1; The Loon 56:130-131). Accepted
55:1171983-12-191983-12-28ShoreviewRamsey(vote 5-2, with 7-0 required for acceptance) The majority was convinced by the details: the observer had experience with both Purple and House Finches, saw the bird at his feeder in company with Purple Finch, took field notes at the time of observation, and noted a redder cap and head, browner back and eye stripe, and "distinctive rosy rump." The minority felt that the bird may have been a House Finch, but that the flank streaking was not noted and that Purple Finch plumages are highly variable, something the observer may not have taken into account. Not Accepted
56:641984indexHouse Finch in Hennepin County
56:130-1311984indexHouse Finch at Mankato
56:189-1901984indexA House Finch in Aitkin County
56:1941984indexHouse Finch at St. Cloud
56:198-1991984indexA House Finch in Mower County
56:1601984-03-02ExcelsiorCarver(vote 3-4). The full description of this male finch stated: "brown streaking on the side of the body and the red is slightly different from a Purple Finch". While it was agreed that such details seemed indicative of House Finch, the majority felt that a more complete description should have been given for such an unusual species. Not Accepted
356:1601984-03-18St. CloudStearns(vote 6-1; The Loon 56:194). Accepted
456:1601984-04-25AustinMower(vote 6-1; The Loon 56:198-199). Accepted
56:1601984-04-29Coon Rapids DamHennepin(vote 1-6). This finch was described as a female by plumage, but it was heard singing and the possibility of it being a first spring male was precluded by the fact that immature male House Finches resemble adult males by their first fall (unlike Purple Finch in which young males resemble females in their first spring). The description also did not rule out Pine Siskin, which could fit the described plumage and song. Not Accepted
57:341984-09-09near Two HarborsLake(vote 7-0). The entire description of tt:is female was "head was all dark, a few faint stripes on the top of the head, breast with fine streaking." Such details, however, do not preclude an immature Purple Finch (which is highly variable in head pattern), Pine Siskin or juvenile crossbill. Not Accepted
57:1341985indexMale House Finch at LeSueur
57:1371985indexHouse Finch in Winona County
558:421985-07-061985-07-07Le SueurLe Sueur(vote 7-0; The Loon 57:134). Accepted
658:421985-09-02Pipestone Nat!. MonumentPipestone(vote 7-0). Accepted
58:2041986indexAnother Minnesota House Finch
759:571986-04-07St. CloudStearns(vote 7-0; The Loon 58:204) . Accepted
858:1461986-05-06Fergus FallsOtter Tail(vote 7-0). Accepted
959:1431986-12-101987-02-08Golden ValleyHennepin(vote 7-0). Accepted
1059:1431986-12-211986-12-24MarshallLyon(vote 7-0). Accepted
59:2121987indexHouse Finches in Minneapolis
59:2191987indexA House Finch at Hastings
1160:131987-10-191987-10-29Forest LakeWashington(vote 7-0; The Loon 60:5455). Accepted
60:541988indexHouse Finch at Forest Lake
60:1311988indexHouse Finch in Northwest Minnesota
60:1851988indexHouse Finches in Mankato
60:1861988indexHouse Finches in Albert Lea
61:101988-03-311988-04-18AustinMower(vote 0-7). The identification of this female was based entirely on a less distinct facial pattern; however, the observer did not explain how he eliminated immature Purple Finch or Pine Siskin or even female Cassin's Finch, all of which have an indistinct face pattern. Not Accepted
61:101988-05-14Golden ValleyHennepin(vote 1-6). The identification was only based on the bird's song, which was not described in enough detail to eliminate Purple Finch. Not Accepted
1260:1081988-05-16Thief River FallsPennington(vote 7 -0; The Loon 60:131). Accepted
1361:101988-06-151988-08-06Albert LeaFreeborn(vote7-0; The Loon 60:186). Accepted
1461:1211988-06-281988-12-13FaribaultRice(vote 7-0) . Accepted
61:101988-07-31Golden ValleyHennepin(vote 3-4). It was agreed that this may well have been a female or immature House Finch, especially since so many had been in the Twin Cities recently; however, the undertail coverts were described as unstreaked which would tend to eliminate House Finch, and the tail appeared to be too deeply notched for a House Finch. Not Accepted
1561:1211988-12-281989-01-15Fergus FallsOtter Tail(vote 7-0). Accepted
61:931989indexMinnesota's First House Finch Nest
61:144-1451989indexHouse Finches in Lac Qui Parle County
61:1511989indexFirst House Finch Record in Duluth
61:2071989indexHouse Finch Nesting in Rice County
1661:1211989-05-12DuluthSt. Louis(vote 7-0; The Loon 61:151). Accepted
avian
information
2018-12-042019-01-01Wadena12/4, 1/1 Wadena (first winter record)
Observed in a season-record high 72 counties (ten-year average 58) in all regions of state. Unusual winter reports 12/4 Wadena RAE, 12/23 Swift JST, 1/6 Clearwater SAu, 2/21 Mahnomen REn. High counts 12/28 Meeker (93) DOr, 1/6 Meeker (70) BDo, KDS, 12/15 Rice (50) KeM. CBC high counts 12/15 Owatonna (161), 12/15 Rochester (154), 12/29 Hastings-Etter (151).
avian
information
2019-01-062019-02-28Clearwater1/6, 12, 2/28 Clearwater (first winter record)
Observed in a season-record high 72 counties (ten-year average 58) in all regions of state. Unusual winter reports 12/4 Wadena RAE, 12/23 Swift JST, 1/6 Clearwater SAu, 2/21 Mahnomen REn. High counts 12/28 Meeker (93) DOr, 1/6 Meeker (70) BDo, KDS, 12/15 Rice (50) KeM. CBC high counts 12/15 Owatonna (161), 12/15 Rochester (154), 12/29 Hastings-Etter (151).
avian
information
2019-02-21Mahnomen2/21 Mahnomen (first winter record)
Observed in a season-record high 72 counties (ten-year average 58) in all regions of state. Unusual winter reports 12/4 Wadena RAE, 12/23 Swift JST, 1/6 Clearwater SAu, 2/21 Mahnomen REn. High counts 12/28 Meeker (93) DOr, 1/6 Meeker (70) BDo, KDS, 12/15 Rice (50) KeM. CBC high counts 12/15 Owatonna (161), 12/15 Rochester (154), 12/29 Hastings-Etter (151).
avian
information
2019-12-11Pennington12/11 Pennington (first winter record)
 Reported from 64 counties, somewhat below last winter†™s season-high of 72 but still higher than the ten-year average of 60. Unusual winter reports 12/11 Pennington ZL, 2/28 Clearwater JCJ. High counts 1/31 Washington (52, Carpenter N.C.) CNC, 2/8 Wright (47, Delano) ebd, 12/8 Polk (44, East Grand Forks) SAu. CBC high counts 12/14 Rochester (361), 12/14 Owatonna (324), 12/21 Mankato (198).
avian
information
2020-02-28Clearwater2/28 Clearwater (second winter record)
 Reported from 64 counties, somewhat below last winter†™s season-high of 72 but still higher than the ten-year average of 60. Unusual winter reports 12/11 Pennington ZL, 2/28 Clearwater JCJ. High counts 1/31 Washington (52, Carpenter N.C.) CNC, 2/8 Wright (47, Delano) ebd, 12/8 Polk (44, East Grand Forks) SAu. CBC high counts 12/14 Rochester (361), 12/14 Owatonna (324), 12/21 Mankato (198).
avian
information
2021-12-102022-02-27Pennington12/10, 1/8, 13, 14, 26, 2/18, 19, 20, 27 Pennington (second winter record)
 Reported from all regions of the state in a season-high total of 75 counties, including a season-high 24 north counties. High counts 12/26 Goodhue (90, Belvidere Twp.) AJF, 12/11 Clay (80, Hawley) DPW, 1/17 Ramsey (75, University of Minnesota, St. Paul campus) EHi. CBC high counts 12/18 Rochester (330), 12/18 St. Paul (North) (309), 12/18 Willmar (248).
avian
information
2021-12-182022-01-15Red Lake12/18, 1/15 Red Lake (first winter record)
 Reported from all regions of the state in a season-high total of 75 counties, including a season-high 24 north counties. High counts 12/26 Goodhue (90, Belvidere Twp.) AJF, 12/11 Clay (80, Hawley) DPW, 1/17 Ramsey (75, University of Minnesota, St. Paul campus) EHi. CBC high counts 12/18 Rochester (330), 12/18 St. Paul (North) (309), 12/18 Willmar (248).
avian
information
2022-12-302023-02-18Pennington12/30, 2/18 Pennington (third winter record)
Reported from all regions of the state in 72 counties (ten-year average 64). Unusual winter record: 2/19 Mahnomen (Waubun) ANy. High counts 12/17 Lyon (75, Marshall) GWe, 2/3 Stevens (72, Morris) ebd, 12/18 Morrison (63, Little Falls CBC, NE section) DMz. CBC high counts 12/17 Rochester (337), 12/17 Owatonna (292), 12/17 St. Paul (North) (263).
avian
information
2023-02-19Mahnomen2/19 Mahnomen (second winter record)
Reported from all regions of the state in 72 counties (ten-year average 64). Unusual winter record: 2/19 Mahnomen (Waubun) ANy. High counts 12/17 Lyon (75, Marshall) GWe, 2/3 Stevens (72, Morris) ebd, 12/18 Morrison (63, Little Falls CBC, NE section) DMz. CBC high counts 12/17 Rochester (337), 12/17 Owatonna (292), 12/17 St. Paul (North) (263).
63:2741991indexAn Unusual Nesting
64:79-811992indexThe House Finch in Minnesota
68:177-1781996indexMoving day for the House Finches
78:2332006indexApparent Two-headed House Finch in Washington County
 
 Permanent resident throughout, except far northeast.

Notes:

The information in the above table comes from several different sources. The count in column 1 indicates which of the sources is considered the primary source.
'Accepted' MOURC entries from The MOURC Proceedings
'Not Accepted' or 'Rejected' MOURC entry from The MOURC Proceedings
Accepted MOU records assembled by David Cahlander
Sighting records for ()
Avian information from the occurrence maps, in dark red, assembled by Robert Janssen. Seasonal report for the species/season published in The Loon or The Flicker has been added.
Information from The Loon index assembled by Anthony Hertzel and David Cahlander