Similar Species to Purple Finch, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Table Of Content

• Geographic Range Of Purple Finch And House Finch
• Purple Finch Range and Habitat
• Summary Of Key Differences Between Purple Finch And House Finch
• House Finch vs Purple Finch: What Are The Differences?
• Can These Two Species Interbreed With Each Other Or With Other Finch Species In Their Range?
• Purple Finch vs. House Finch: Songs, Habitat & Identification
• Range & Identification

About 10,000 different bird species populate the world, so it’s not surprising that several species look remarkably similar. Two of these species that look nearly identical are the House Finch and Purple Finch. I admittedly have a very difficult time telling the two apart, so I’m hoping this guide will not only give you clarification but also myself. Here are a few things you should know when trying to figure out which is which. A perched House Finch usually has a distinct, rounded head whereas a Purple Finch tends to have a straighter profile with a smoother transition between the back and head. Purple Finches are also more barrel-chested and have a front-heavy appearance.

Geographic Range Of Purple Finch And House Finch

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You can see somewhat indistinct white bars on the House Finch’s wings when perched, but Purple Finches have obviously rosy-reddish wing bars. You might spot these birds in dense forested areas along the West Coast of the U.S. into southern Canada as well as the American Northeast in breeding seasons. This member of the finch family boasts a bright red coloring on the head and upper body, making it an attractive sight amidst the foliage.

Purple Finch Range and Habitat

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The two species are roughly the same size, but they have slightly different body shapes. House Finches tend to have more slender bodies with proportionate heads. Depending on the posture of the bird, its body can take different shapes, so you want to make sure to observe the bird in various stances to determine the true shape of the body. The house finch is not a migratory bird, and they live year-round in all their known regions. These areas include a wide variety of habitats, and they can be found across the United States.

Summary Of Key Differences Between Purple Finch And House Finch

House Finches and Purple Finches produce similar songs, but their distinctive call notes can help you identify them. And while they’re not as easy to tell apart at first glance as the male birds, there are differences in their markings if you look closely. Diving deeper into the physical features, both birds share a thick, conical bill for seed-cracking, but House Finches have a slightly smaller bill compared to the Purple Finch. Purple Finches, however, lack this dark brown streaking, or it’s barely noticeable.

The male’s vibrant plumage and melodious song likely contributed to its selection. Unfortunately, the House Finch is not typically designated as the official state bird of any U.S. state. House Finches also contribute to the avian chorus but with a varied and cheerful chirp. House Finches produce a variety of calls, each serving a specific purpose.

Can These Two Species Interbreed With Each Other Or With Other Finch Species In Their Range?

Generally, the house finch is accustomed to living in urban environments, which is evident in its name, but it can also be found in rural areas. Seasonal movements of a  purple finch will vary in certain regions, but they live year-round in the northeastern U.S and along the western coast. Yet, in most central and southeastern states, the finches will migrate down from the colder Canadian climate after they’ve finished their breeding period. There are a few areas out west, such as Oregon, where they may mate as well.

The Purple Finch and the House Finch are around the same size as a sparrow. Although they aren’t in the same family as sparrows, they are shaped a lot like those seed-eating birds. It’ll take some practice and the key to telling the difference is to give some time before making your judgments.

House Finch Vs Purple Finch: What’s The Difference?

The male House Finch doesn’t have as much red on the neck and back as the Purple Finch. The House Finch also has more orange-red plumage than the raspberry red of the Purple Finch. Although flight speed of the Purple Finch has never been compared to that of the House Finch, it does have longer wings. Since the Purple Finch uses those long wings to fly from boreal forests in Canada all the way to the southern USA, it can probably fly faster than the House Finch.

Range & Identification

Their activity patterns are typically seasonal and they display a social behavior with females usually dominant over males within the groups. Purple Finches build their nests in coniferous forests, on horizontal branches, or in forks of trees such as Douglas fir and spruce. The Purple Finch builds a cup-shaped nest comprised of small sticks and a soft interior of grass and hair. A female Purple Finch typically lays around 4 light blue speckled eggs, with an incubation period of approximately 13 days before they hatch. Additionally, House Finches are seed-eating birds and are often seen at bird feeders, particularly during the breeding season. Yes, there are physical differences between the two finch species that aid in identification.

Keep reading to learn more about the vocalizations of these two finch species. Male house finches are often gray, brown, or yellow to light orange throughout the rest of their body except their head and chest. Even the lightest colored purple finch is more boldly marked than a house finch.

These differences are especially useful for identifying birds perched at feeders. House Finch tails extend far beyond their wing tips whereas the wing tips of a Purple Finch reach almost halfway down their tail. House Finch tail feathers are always rounded whereas Purple Finch tail feathers are pointed.