Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...
A photo of a Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus), male
Purple Finch, Male

Purple Finch

Haemorhous purpureus

The Purple Finch, Haemorhous purpureus, is a small bird with a robust build, measuring 12–16 cm in length and weighing 18–32 g. Males are adorned with a vibrant raspberry red hue on their head, breast, back, and rump, with a streaked back, while females exhibit light brown upperparts and white underparts with dark brown streaks, and a distinctive white line above the eye.

Identification Tips

To identify the Purple Finch, look for the male's striking red plumage and the female's streaked appearance with a white eye line. The subspecies H. p. californicus can be distinguished by its longer tail, shorter wings, and more greenish tinge in females.

Habitat

The Purple Finch can be found in coniferous and mixed forests across Canada and the northeastern United States, as well as in various wooded areas along the Pacific coast of the U.S.

Distribution

This species breeds in the northern United States, southern Canada, and the west coast of North America. Birds from the northernmost parts of their range tend to migrate southward for the winter.

Behaviour

The Purple Finch is known to be displaced by the House Finch and House Sparrow in some areas. They exhibit a preference for foraging in trees and bushes, and sometimes on the ground.

Song & Calls

Unfortunately, the source provided does not include information on the song and calls of the Purple Finch.

Breeding

Females typically build open cup-shaped nests on horizontal branches of coniferous trees, using rootlets, twigs, and weeds, and lining them with grass, hair, and moss.

Similar Species

The House Finch is a similar species that often outcompetes the Purple Finch in their shared habitats.

Diet and Feeding

Purple Finches primarily consume seeds, berries, and insects, showing a particular fondness for sunflower seeds, millet, and thistle.

Conservation status

The Purple Finch is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, although there has been a noted decline in the eastern population due to competition with the House Finch.

App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

Purple Finches on Birda

Photos
Sightings

More Finches, Euphonias

A photo of a Lesser Redpoll (Acanthis cabaret) , male

Lesser Redpoll

Acanthis cabaret
Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
Nick S
Work together with community
Been loving using this app to log my bird sightings and work together with community members to identify different birds. I've already learned a lot since I started about a month ago!
JCBirding
Just what birding needs
We need more fun in birding, for years it has had a reputation for being up tight and stuffy and only perused by retirees and anoraks. Birda helps change that perception and firmly brings birding into the 21st century! Fun, interactive while still contributing to science and conservation. If you aren’t on it, why not??
Emma L
App got me interested in birding!
Super friendly community <3 This app got me interested in birding! It teaches me cool stuff and its super friendly, and fun :) The species guide is really developing my knowledge, and i love seeing cool new birds from round the world!
Stewart W
Fantastic to be involved
Fantastic to be involved, great for mental health and gets you responding with the Challenges that are to takd part in.
Foxgirl100
Great app for beginner twitchers
I’ve had a passion of photographing birds for a long time now but have only just gotten into proper birdwatching, and this app is brilliant for those just getting started. There is a great sense of community among users and the app is very easy to use and professional. Awesome app altogether
Ellesse_W
Learning Birding with Birda
I’m relatively new to birding as a hobby, and Birda is a great way to keep track off all the species I see. I’m still working on my ID skills, but the app is great for figuring out potential species, and the online community is so friendly and helpful. Definitely recommend Birda to both early and serious birders! ðŸĶ
Trevarthen1
Birda fan
I really enjoy using Birda, all sightings are recorded and photos can be added. There are monthly challenges which help to get you out to record your sightings. The Birda community are great and are happy to help with unidentified bird sightings. Suitable for all ages and experience!
Carrie
Makes you want to spot birds more
I think this app is fun. It makes you want to spot birds more so I guess in a way it encourages you to get out and about instead of sitting in front of the TV.
D3Nature
Great app for learning Birds
I’ve been using the app for a couple of months and love it....Someone said it’s like a real life PokÃĐmon Go for birds. They’re not far off! It’s something that the family can do that gets you out and about. Well worth downloading no matter your age.
EandB17
Terrific App for Birders
Downloaded Birda around the time my interest in birding was sparked, and it has been a terrific app to help me (1) share my experience, (2) document my sightings, and (3) learn more about birds in general. That said, I also believe Birda is a fantastic app for birders of all experience levels. Great community!
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright ÂĐ 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.