Purple or House Finch? (1 Viewer)

[Scrogdog]

I have had House Finches at my feeders all winter, but today a finch showed up that I feel fairly sure is a Purple Finch. It has much more color on it's back than the House Finches that have been coming to feed. Any comments appreciated.

 

[Jim M.]

You are correct. That is a Purple Finch; nice bird. Note the lack of distinct streaks on the flanks to distinguish it from House Finch. They have been somewhat scarce up in my neck of the woods this winter.

Cheers,
Jim

 

[Gillian_M]

Agree with Purple Finch. Along with the lack of streaking, look for the colour of the auriculars (the area behind the eye) - in Purple Finches it will be red, giving the head an overall red appearance, whereas in House Finches it will be brown. Also, in House Finches the wing bars look white; in Purple Finches, they look red, as though they've been stained.

Purple Finches have been rare this winter in Ottawa, too.

 

[goshawk227]

Purple Finches, like this bird, also have the entire upper back washed red, whereas House would be brown.

 

[Scrogdog]

Thanks for the confirmation that it is a Purple Finch. I think I may have seen this bird or another just like it about three weeks ago, but it was at the feeder that is farthest from my back porch, and I wasn't able to get a picture and couldn't see it well enough be sure. Purple Finches are fairly rare in North Central Texas and are not seen at all some years though I notice where a fairly large number of them were included on the lists of people in this area who reported during the Great Backyard Bird Count that was conducted
Feb. 14th-18th. I wouldn't be surprised if many of the sightings were actually of House Finches.

 

[Robert / Seattle]

You lucky bast**d. Purple Finch, indeed. Nice going.

Robert / Seattle