Watercolor portrait of Cassin's Finch (Haemorhous cassinii)

Cassin's Finch

Haemorhous cassinii
Cassin's Finch lives in western North Am… Look for Cassin's Finches in open conife… Uncommon Rich warbling song

Learn to identify the Cassin's Finch by ear. Master the "Here I am, up in the pine!" phrase and tell it apart from similar species.

“Here I am, up in the pine!”

What the Cassin's Finch sounds like

A rangy, mountain-loving finch with a sweet, jangly song and a touch of raspberry red. Males glow pink on the crown and chest, while females are brown and crisply streaked, blending into dry conifers until they hop into view.

“Here I am, up in the pine!”

How to tell it apart

Listen for:A bright, rolling series of musical notes and trills, often delivered from the top of a conifer. It sounds loose, sweet, and a little improvised. Often written as “Here I am, up in the pine!”.
Don't confuse with:The Purple Finch — male purple finch looks more heavily washed in rosy color, almost 'dipped in juice' from head to chest.

Lessons featuring the Cassin's Finch

Ready to test your ear? Practice identifying the Cassin's Finch's sounds in this interactive in-app lesson.

Finch Face-Off: Warble Wars lesson habitat
Finch Face-Off: Warble Wars
Tier 10 · Going Deeper
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Where you'll hear it

Look for Cassin's Finches in open conifer forests, pine ridges, and mountain slopes. In winter, they often drop to foothills, desert edges, towns, and feeders.

Spring and summer are the best times to find them high in the mountains, where males sing from treetops. In winter, numbers can vary wildly, and some years they show up at feeders well outside the usual pattern.

Similar species

Purple Finch

Male Purple Finch looks more heavily washed in rosy color, almost 'dipped in juice' from head to chest.

House Finch

Male House Finch usually has red concentrated on the face, throat, and rump, not a crisp rosy crown.

Red Crossbill

Red Crossbill has crossed bill tips, built for prying open cones.

Cassin's Finch song FAQ

What does a Cassin's Finch sound like?
A bright, rolling series of musical notes and trills, often delivered from the top of a conifer. It sounds loose, sweet, and a little improvised. Listen for the "Here I am, up in the pine!" phrase.
How do I tell a Cassin's Finch from a Purple Finch by sound?
Purple Finch: Male Purple Finch looks more heavily washed in rosy color, almost 'dipped in juice' from head to chest.; Female Purple Finch usually shows a bolder face pattern with a pale eyebrow and dark cheek.; Purple Finch tends to look chunkier and shorter-billed..
When is the best time to hear a Cassin's Finch?
Spring and summer are the best times to find them high in the mountains, where males sing from treetops. In winter, numbers can vary wildly, and some years they show up at feeders well outside the usual pattern.