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Platte River Status: A common winter resident locally; fairly common nesting species in several locations. The nesting distribution of house finch has expanded dramatically in the last 30 years. House finch was unknown to Tout (1947) in Lincoln County. Rosche (1979) recorded this species in the lower North Platte River Valley only at Oshkosh in central Garden County during the late 1970's.

Breeding Range: Within our study area, house finch currently occurs only in the Platte River Valley. However, we suspect that some pioneering birds have arrived in outlying physiographic regions particularly the Sandhills and Western Plain.

Breeding Population: Our population survey in 1979 revealed an estimated population of about 500 nesting pairs. Currently we estimate that the population during the nesting season may be as high as 2,000 pairs.

Habitat: We found the highest mean nesting density (6.0 pairs/km²) in residential habitats. Within the principal range west of our study area, house finch occurs in a variety of habitats including scrub vegetation, desert washes, canyonlands, the vicinity of ranch buildings, and in residential areas. The pioneering birds along the Platte River are currently restricted solely to ornamental plantings in residential areas.

Effect of Habitat Alteration: House finch has benefited from the expansion of human habitation through increased numbers of suitable nest site locations, and favorable feeding sites.

Nesting Data: There are 2 confirmed breeding records from Grand Island (Coons 1983) and 2 from North Platte. Nesting in Grand Island began on 30 April 1983, and 2 young fledged from that nest 31 May. Gates (1955) found an active house finch nest near the top of a small spruce tree in North Platte, Lincoln County on 27 April 1955. Faanes found an active nest containing four eggs behind the Motel 6 in North Platte on 29 May 1979. Nesting in Colorado extends from mid April through July (Johnsgard 1979).