purple finch (Carpodacus purpureus)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONFIRMATION STATUS: Confirmed.

 

IDENTIFICATION:

• Length: 5.5 inches

• Large, conical bill

• Short, forked tail

• Distinctive call note often given in flight

Male:

• Purplish-red head, breast, back and rump

• Streaked back

• White undertail coverts

• Brown wings and tail

• Immature male resembles female

Female:

• Brown crown and cheek patch contrasting with pale supercilium and malar streak

• Heavily streaked underparts

• Brown upperparts

Similar species:

The male purple finch is similar to the house finch but lacks brown
streaks on the breast and belly, has a more purple head, shorter forked
tail and different call notes. Female house finch lacks the distinctive face
pattern of the female purple finch. Cassin's finch is very similar in all
plumages but has streaked undertail coverts and a larger bill. Male
Cassin's has a brighter red crown. Female Cassin's has finer streaking
on the breast and a less noticeable face pattern. Pine siskin is similar
to female but smaller and lacks face pattern. Sparrows are slimmer
with longer tails and different markings.

 

LIFE HISTORY

Migration Status: Short distance migrant
Breeding Habitat: Woodland
Nest Location: Mid-story/canopy nesting
Nest Type: Open-cup
Clutch Size: 3-5
Length of Incubation: 13 days
Days to Fledge: 14
Number of Broods: 1 in east, 2 in west
Diet: Almost exclusively flowers, fruit, seeds; lesser quantities of insects

 

SKY MEADOWS DISTRIBUTION/SEASONAL OCCURRENCE

 

Relative abundance and seasonal occurrence are indicated in red below.

 

Relative abundance
     C - Common: Likely to be present in good numbers in appropriate habitat and season.
     U - Uncommon: May be present in appropriate habitat and season, often in low
            numbers.
     O - Occassional: Found in appropriate habitat perhaps only a few times per season,
            sometimes low numbers.
     R - Rare: May not be recorded every year.
     Acc - Accidental: Recorded once or twice, may not be expected again for a long time.

 

Seasonal Occurrence
      Sp - Spring: March, April, May U
      Su - Summer: June, July, August
      Fall: September, October, November U

      Winter: December, January, February R

 

 

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