Population status

House Finch
(Haemorhous mexicanus)

The House Finch is well monitored by the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) in Canada, which covers the majority of the species' breeding population. National BBS data show an increase in abundance of about 77%, reflecting the range expansion of House Finch in Canada since 1970. The population rose in the late-1980s through to the mid-1990s, dropped slightly between the mid- to late-1990s, and then fluctuated around that level from thereon. The 1990s drop coincides with the spread of mycoplasmal conjunctivitis which started in 1994 (Dhondt et al. 2007). The species is well established in the United States; continental-level BBS results show little change overall relative to 1970. The House Finch is at an acceptable level relative to its national population goal (see BBS Canada graph below).

 

Population goal and acceptable levels of variation

Species/groupGoalLower levelUpper level
House FinchMean abundance (2008-2012)10th percentile of observed abundance (1970-2012)Not applicable

Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis

Additional information on: Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis

Table 1: Population trends by geographic area
Geographic areaTime Period Table 1 - footnote 1 Annual trend Table 1 - footnote 2 Limits
LowerUpper
Canada Select to view graph of the geographic area: Canada 1970-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis1970-20161.2-0.42.8
Canada Select to view graph of the geographic area: Canada 2006-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis2006-2016-0.3-5.23.3
Northern Pacific Rainforest Select to view graph of the geographic area: Northern Pacific Rainforest 1970-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis1970-20160.8-1.32.6
Great Basin Select to view graph of the geographic area: Great Basin 1970-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis1970-20162.30.14.7
North America Select to view graph of the geographic area: North America 1970-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis1970-20160.40.10.7
 

References