- SCIENTIFIC NAME
- Carpodacus cassinii
- CLASSIFICATION
- Bird
- LIFE SPAN
- 4-7 Years
- SIZE
- 6-6.3” | 0.05-0.075lbs
- STATE CONSERVATION STATUS
-
- Priority Species
- FEDERAL CONSERVATION STATUS
- Least Concern
- GAME STATUS
- Non-Game
- GAME TYPE
- None
- Washoe
- Humboldt
- Pershing
- Churchill
- Mineral
- Lyon
- Douglas
- Carson City
- Storey
- Elko
- Lander
- Eureka
- White Pine
- Esmeralda
- Nye
- Lincoln
- Clark
Habitat & Range
Cassin’s Finches breed in upper elevations of Nevada’s mountains, mostly between 3,000-10,000 feet of elevation. They can also occasionally breed in sagebrush/juniper woodlands, but prefer forests. They winter in the same mountain ranges they breed in.
- Alpine forests of the Sierras
- Pinyon juniper forests
- Upland Forests
Threats
- Habitat Loss
Natural History
Cassin’s Finches eat seeds, fruit, and occasionally insects. During spring up to 94 percent of their diet consists of quaking aspen buds; they also eat buds of cottonwood and green manzanita. Nesting is usually greater than 15 feet above the ground in larger trees. They are known to forage in groups.
Fun Facts
The Cassin's Finch craves salt, and is often found visiting mineral deposits on the ground.
