When I, as a European, saw this bird for the first time in Los Angeles, I of course, associated it with the Common rosefinch (Carpodacus erythrinus) which is common in large parts of Eurasia - but which does not occur in America. Instead it was a House finch - a species that is relatively similar to a rosefinch with a strong bill and red areas on the head and on the chest. Here it perches next to a hiking trail on the outskirts of San Diego and eats the berries on this tree.