On the recent Queens County Bird Club field trip to Kissena Park in search of migrating sparrows, field birds, and whatever else might cross our path, I was distracted by some male House Finches Carpodacus mexicanus feeding on, or, to be more accurate, pigging out on, crabapples.  They were so intent on eating the apples that they completely ignored me, allowing close approach, which, considering that I am digiscoping and the light was nice, means that I have some nice pictures to share.

Though House Finch are not native to the east coast of North America, having been transplanted from the west coast as released pets, they are still a delight to behold, though, to be honest, I much prefer Purple Finch.  But whatever your finch preference I am sure you will enjoy these pictures!

This post was submitted to Bird Photography Weekly #60. Go check it out!

Written by Corey
Corey is a New Yorker who lived most of his life in upstate New York but has lived in Queens since 2008. He's only been birding since 2005 but has garnered a respectable life list by birding whenever he wasn't working as a union representative or spending time with his family. He lives in Forest Hills with Daisy and Desmond Shearwater. His bird photographs have appeared on the Today Show, in Birding, Living Bird Magazine, Bird Watcher's Digest, and many other fine publications. He is also the author of the American Birding Association Field Guide to the Birds of New York.