Purple Finches

Purple Finch, male

Purple Finch, male on bottom right, female on bottom left

Just saw a small flock of Purple Finches flying around our property. They landed and came to the feeders. The raspberry red male always produces "ooohs," including from us. Note that the streaked, brown female has a white eyebrow. This is a great way to tell her from the more common House Finch female, who does not have a white eyebrow. Telling male Purple Finch from male House Finch is a bit trickier, since both are red and you can't always go by the tone of the red. The male House Finch has considerable brown streaks on his sides and belly, the male Purple Finch has fewer streaks there.

Photos © Lillian Stokes, 2007