Purple Finch
Purple Finch Information
Length: 5.5 - 6.25"
Habitat: Coniferous or mixed woodlands, forest edges, residential areas with trees and shrubs. Prefers habitat with coniferous trees. In winter, habitat expands to include shrubby fields and other semi-open areas.
Diet: Weed seeds and grass seeds; buds, blossoms, and seeds of trees; insects; wild fruits and berries.
Songs and calls of the Purple Finch
Another photo of Purple FinchAdditional Information
Purple FinchHabitat, diet, feeding behavior, nesting, migration, and conservation status of this bird. Includes range map, photos, and songs and calls. (From Audubon Field Guide)
Female Purple Finch
Purple Finch
Identification Tips
- Short, forked tail
- Distinctive call note often given in flight
- Purplish-red head, breast, back and rump
- Streaked back
- White undertail coverts
- Brown wings and tail
- Immature male resembles female
- Brown crown and cheek patch contrasting with pale supercilium and malar streak
- Heavily streaked underparts
- Brown upperparts
(Credit: U. S. Geological Survey)
Purple Finch
Breeding Bird Survey Map,
2011-2015
(Image credit: USGS)
New England Range
The Purple Finch is a year-round resident in New England.
Purple Finch
Range Maps from Cornell
Purple Finch breeding, migration, nonbreeding and year-round range
Includes separate map of sightings.
Purple Finch
Christmas Bird Count Map
Historical CBC Map from USGS