My Corner Online

 

House Finch

Is it a House Finch or a Purple Finch?

I do not believe I have seen a purple finch in my yard and garden.

House Finch

1. Males ALWAYS have the “brown cap."

2. Males NEVER have red in the wing area. This is an excellent identification tip.

Purple Finch

1. Males NEVER have a "brown cap."

2. Males ALWAYS have red in the wing area. This is an excellent identification tip.

3. Females have two broad white marks on her face.

4. The color "purple" is misleading in the name as the Purple Finch is more of a raspberry or wine color, making color identification useless.

2025

#3 of 11 at my window today are the House Finch. They are so tiny and yet so impactful in their numbers. Not all birds eat at the feeders. Some are ground munchers. But the House Finch is a feeder hoarder! They tend to eat twice a day at sunrise and dusk, while other birds visit all day. Is there a twinge of unfairness in your heart, like mine, when the female is cheated of any vibrant red color? February 2025

2022

2021

It is a House Finch all lovely in red and white. This is a frequent year round visitor to my yard and birdhouses. Feb 2021

2020

2017