However, they can easily get confused with House Finch or Pine Siskin. In order to distinguish them from the other two, you need to look at them carefully and to me, a picture is worth a thousand words: Male Purple Finches (see last two pictures) have raspberry red on head and breast. The degree of red is also determined by food they take. Female Purple Finches (see above) have no red at all, boldly streaked below and with a whitish eye stripe.
House Finches (see male House Finch picture below) are popular feeder visitors through out most lower 48 states. Males have red eyebrow, red breast and prominent red on rump (you can easily see it in fly) and have brown streaked underparts.
(House Finch, male)
Female House Finches (see below) have no red at all and with thick, blurry streaks underparts.
House Finch, female
Finally, I find out the best way to identify Pine Siskins is to look at their beak. Comparing to the short and stubby beak of House Finch or Purple Finch, Pine Siskins have thinner and sharper beak. Especially, you can clearly see two white wingbars and yellow at the base of flight feathers.
(Above: Pine Siskin)
I welcome your comment and suggestion and next time you see a finch, hopefully, you then will know them better! Happy Birding! ---Linda
Good post explaining the differences in these two confusing finches. I thought I had a Purple Finch at the landfill but upon further inspection of the photograph when I got home, I realized it was the regular old female House Finch. I'm hoping I might see one out there but the habitat may not be right.
ReplyDeleteRyan,
ReplyDeleteComparing to the popular House Finches, Purple Finches are irregular visitors in the southeast states during winter months. They are attracted to sunflower seed and water is a must in winter. It's exciting to see them for sure. My experience tells me that the most beautiful moment manifests with the least expected heart!
Happy Birding!
Linda
Good essay, and photos on easily confused birds. Boom & Gary of Ther Vermilon River.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThat's why I like to take pictures. Happy Birding!
ReplyDeleteLinda
Thank you for the helpful guide! I was bird watching this morning and thought, wow a big bunch of female purple finches and no male in sight? and then i had seen the tinge of yellow on its wings and thought "wait a minute, thats not a purple finch is it?"
ReplyDeleteyou have provided me with a great way to tell the purple finches apart from the pine siskins! Thank you so much again!
Punkychewster,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind comment and I am glad you like my post ..happy birding :)