They called it the "Hollywood finch;" however, the apropos moniker was and still is the house finch. This brown-streaked bird, with a brilliantly colored burgundy head, made its way from the West into New York City via the pet trade. It was a good seller until 1940 when it became illegal to capture and sell wild birds. During that year, pet store owners set their birds free and thereby introduced the species to the East.

This brown-streaked bird, with a brilliantly colored burgundy head, made its way from the West into New York City via the pet trade. It was a good seller until 1940 when it became illegal to capture and sell wild birds. During that year, pet store owners set their birds free and thereby introduced the species to the East.Not long after that, reports began to surface of a strange red-headed sparrow-like bird frequenting shade trees on Long Island. From 1941 until 1948 people claimed to see these birds at various locations on the island, and then in 1948 a specimen taken in Hewlette, Nassua County, confirmed what the public had been asserting all along. This bird, the first specimen of a free ranging wild eastern house finch, remains in mounted form in the American Museum of Natural History.

Not long after that, reports began to surface of a strange red-headed sparrow-like bird frequenting shade trees on Long Island. From 1941 until 1948 people claimed to see these birds at various locations on the island, and then in 1948 a specimen taken in Hewlette, Nassua County, confirmed what the public had been asserting all along. This bird, the first specimen of a free ranging wild eastern house finch, remains in mounted form in the American Museum of Natural History.It didn't take long for the species to propagate and move off the island. By the early 1970s, the finch was one of the most abundant birds at backyard feeders in Connecticut. However, the arrival of this formerly western bird into the Northeast was not without impact.

It didn't take long for the species to propagate and move off the island. By the early 1970s, the finch was one of the most abundant birds at backyard feeders in Connecticut. However, the arrival of this formerly western bird into the Northeast was not without impact.The similarly appearing purple finch was subsequently displaced to rural conifer forests that house finches avoid. Purple finches were once prevalent in fragmented mixed deciduous woodlands and even suburban locations.

The similarly appearing purple finch was subsequently displaced to rural conifer forests that house finches avoid. Purple finches were once prevalent in fragmented mixed deciduous woodlands and even suburban locations. At the feeder, the house finch and the notorious exotic English sparrow compete for seeds. Some studies make the correlation between the rise of house finch numbers and the decline of the English sparrow. While neither species is native to Connecticut, the house finch is native to America.

At the feeder, the house finch and the notorious exotic English sparrow compete for seeds. Some studies make the correlation between the rise of house finch numbers and the decline of the English sparrow. While neither species is native to Connecticut, the house finch is native to America. Many birders remember the days when their feeders were covered with these brilliant colored birds, but a virus called micoplasma gallisepticum, first appearing in 1993 in the counties near Washington, D.C., swept through the population. It causes conjunctivitis, which results in significant vision loss.

Many birders remember the days when their feeders were covered with these brilliant colored birds, but a virus called micoplasma gallisepticum, first appearing in 1993 in the counties near Washington, D.C., swept through the population. It causes conjunctivitis, which results in significant vision loss. Although not nearly as abundant today, house finches continue to visit most feeders. In my area of Colchester, they do not appear to be very common, but there are reports of flocks in the towns south of Norwich.

Although not nearly as abundant today, house finches continue to visit most feeders. In my area of Colchester, they do not appear to be very common, but there are reports of flocks in the towns south of Norwich. Entice them to your feeder with either striped or black oil sunflower seeds. They are also fond of soft fruit and ready mixes of finch food. Perhaps large flocks of the "Hollywood finch" will return to feeders everywhere once again.

Entice them to your feeder with either striped or black oil sunflower seeds. They are also fond of soft fruit and ready mixes of finch food. Perhaps large flocks of the "Hollywood finch" will return to feeders everywhere once again.

Robert Tougias is a Colchester- based birder. He is the author of "Birding Western Massachusetts," and he is available for presentations. You can e-mail him questions at rtougias@snet.net.