![]() ![]() Sounds: Both house finches and purple finches have similar songs, but their call notes are markedly different and can be useful for identification.These areas are where the most confusion between these species is likely to occur. Year-round purple finch populations can be found along the Pacific coast, in the northeastern United States, and in the Great Lakes region. Purple finches prefer a more northern range from Canada's boreal forests in the summer to the continental United States in the winter, but they are absent from the western plains and Rocky Mountain regions. House finches are found in the continental United States and along the Canadian border year-round, and they do not typically migrate. Range: While these finches' ranges do overlap, knowing the ranges for each species can help with identification.The purple finch's bill is larger with less of a curve, giving it a more classical triangular shape. Bill: Both of these seed-eating birds have similar bills, but the house finch's bill is slightly smaller and has a more distinct curve on the upper mandible, giving it a more bulbous shape.Tail notches can be seen on perched birds but are not always easy to compare. Purple finches have shorter tails with a much more distinct notch. Tail: House finches have a longer tail than purple finches, but only show a faint notch that is not always visible.The primary feather projection, or how far the primary feathers reach past the end of the secondary feathers of folded wings, on house finches is shorter than on purple finches. Wings: When perched, house finches show two thin white wing bars, while the thin wing bars on purple finches have a rosy or red wash.For both genders, house finches have streaked undertail coverts while purple finches are plain white underneath their tails. Female purple finches, meanwhile, have sharply defined streaks and a well-marked face with a distinct whitish eyebrow and fine streaks on the crown. Female house finches have blurry streaks on their underparts and a relatively plain face. Markings: The sharpness of the markings is key for distinguishing these female finches.House finches can also show orange or yellow color variants, while similar variants are very rare in purple finches. ![]() The red on house finches is more confined to the forehead, brow, and upper chest. Purple finches also have much more extensive red extending on the crown, nape, back, chest, cheeks, and flanks. House finches are a classic red or red-orange like a ripe strawberry, while purple finches are more of a dark pink or rosy hue similar to a raspberry or red wine. Plumage Color: The males of both these finches are red and brown, but there are many different shades of red.Overall, purple finches are slightly larger than house finches, but if the birds are seen at different distances, size can also be hard to judge. Body shape can be distorted by a bird's posture and movement, however, so it is important to observe birds in a casual, relaxed perch pose to accurately determine shape. Body Shape: House finches are typically more slender than purple finches, which often look stocky with a larger head and thicker neck in proportion to their body size.The Spruce Home Improvement Review Board. ![]()
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