Field Marks: 6 in. A sparrow-sized finch, widespread and common in coniferous and mixed woods, second growth, parks, and suburbs. Often visits feeders in winter. Frequently in small flocks. Eats mostly seeds. Adult males mostly raspberry-red above, brightest on head and rump; wings and tail brown; face with brown ear patch; raspberry-red below on throat and breast;belly white; flanks inconspicuously streaked with brown; undertail coverts white. Adult females, immatures, and first year males brown above, whitish below with brown streaks; show dark ear patch, light eyebrow and cheek stripe. Adult females have white undertail coverts. Song a lively, rich warble of slurred notes; call include a soft "pik."
Range: Breeds from British Columbia across Canada, south in the mountains to s. California, to north-central and ne. United States, and in the Appalachians to West Virginia. Winters from s. Canada south to Mexico and the Gulf Coast; absent from Rocky Mountains and Great Basin.
