Haemorhous

Haemorhous is a genus of finches in the family Fringillidae. The genus was erected in 1847 by the English zoologist and ornithologist William Swainson. The name Haemorhous is derived from the Greek word haima, meaning blood, and rhous, meaning stream, likely referring to the striking red plumage of some species.

The genus Haemorhous currently contains three species: the common redpoll (Haemorhous flammea), the hoary redpoll (Haemorhous hornemanni), and the purple finch (Haemorhous purpureus). These birds are found in North America and Eurasia. They are typically small to medium-sized finches with streaked brown or gray plumage, often with reddish markings on the head, breast, or rump.

Common redpolls and hoary redpolls are circumboreal species, breeding in Arctic and subarctic regions and wintering further south. Purple finches are found in western and eastern North America, inhabiting coniferous and mixed forests. Diet consists primarily of seeds and buds, supplemented with insects during the breeding season. They build cup-shaped nests in trees or shrubs.

These finches are popular among birdwatchers, and their migratory behavior makes them subjects of interest for ornithological studies. Conservation status varies among the species, with most currently assessed as being of Least Concern, though populations can be influenced by habitat availability and climate change.