House finches have been becoming more prevalent in Kentucky in the past several decades after a few were brought from the southwestern United States and released on Long Island, New York in 1940. They quickly spread to all of the eastern states. Males look similar to purple finches but are more rosy or orange red than raspberry red and are not as diffusely red. House finches also tend to have brown feathers at the crown of their head. Since the red pigment for their feathers comes from their diet of plants and fruits, male house finches vary in the amount and shade of red. During breeding season, females choose the reddest mates they can find.