Hawaii Bird Guide
House Finch
The house finch, also called papayabird in Hawaii, is a small streaked bird often seen around towns, gardens and mountain slopes.
House Finch Overview
The house finch is common on all main Hawaiian Islands. It can live in coastal areas, urban neighborhoods and mountain regions, but it is most often seen around towns, gardens and other places near people.
In Hawaii, the house finch is also called papayabird or linnet. Both males and females have brown streaks, while adult males usually show a red or orange-yellow forehead.
Food and Nesting
House finches feed on seeds, insects and soft fruits. Their flexible diet helps them do well in many different island settings, from yards and parks to higher-elevation areas.
Breeding season usually runs from February to August. Nests are built in trees, and females lay between three and five greenish-blue eggs. For other easy-to-spot Hawaii birds, compare the common myna, zebra dove and northern cardinal.
