purple finch bird

1. Bird Name
English name: Purple Finch
Scientific (Latin) name: Haemorhous purpureus

2. Appearance
The Purple Finch boasts a striking plumage that is a spectacular sight to bird enthusiasts. Overall, these birds sport a rich crimson colored head, chest, and back in males, while their tail and wings remain a darker shade. This coloration fades into a white or lightly streaked underbelly, creating an attractive contrast. This species has a strong, cone-shaped beak which is perfect for its seed eating habits. The females, in stark contrast to their male counterparts, possess no purple at all. They have primarily brown and white bodies, often featuring heavy streaking throughout. Both sexes have brownish-black eyes that serve as a striking focal point against their distinctive plumage.

3. Size
Purple Finches are medium-sized birds, with an average length of about 6 inches (15 cm), and a wingspan that can extend between 9 and 10 inches (22-25 cm). They possess a weight that typically fluctuates between 0.6 to 1.1 ounces (18-32 grams).

4. Habitat & Distribution
The Purple Finch is primarily found in the regions of northern and western North America, especially in Canada and the northeastern United States. This species thrives especially in coniferous forests and mixed woodlands, but they also adapt well to orchards, gardens, and parks in suburban areas.

5. Interesting Facts
Fascinatingly, the Purple Finch is known for its erratic migration habits, where some winters they might be ubiquitous, and others they might be absent. Also, the purple coloration of the male bird is not actually purple, but a unique shade of crimson or raspberry that led early ornithologists to describe it as ‘purple.’ Historically, the Purple Finch is the State bird of New Hampshire, symbolizing the natural beauty and resources of the region.

6. Diet
These birds are known for their appetite for seeds, especially sunflower seeds, but their diet also includes berries and small fruits. During breeding seasons, they frequently consume insects and caterpillars.

7. Behavior & Sounds
Purple Finches are not particularly territorial but can be aggressive when defending a good food source. They possess a bouncy, undulating flight pattern. Their call is a lively, rich warble or a sharp ‘tek’ sound, which is similar to the noise produced when two pebbles are hit together.

8. Conservation Status
The Purple Finch is currently classified as a species of least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. However, it’s worth noting that their population is showing signs of decline, due in part to loss of habitat and competition with House Sparrows and European Starlings.

9. Lifespan
On average, a Purple Finch can live up to 14 years in the wild, provided they survive their first year which is typically the hardest. In captivity, they have been known to live slightly longer, due to a lack of natural predators and provision of diet.

10. Additional Notes
In French, the Purple Finch is known as “roselin pourpré” and in Spanish, it’s called “camachuelo purpúreo.” The Purple Finch plays a valuable role in their ecosystems, acting as seed dispersers which aid in plant reproduction. They are also a source of food for larger predators. Despite being generally cautious around humans, they are known to frequent bird feeders and backyards, offering bird watchers a delightful spectacle.