Purple Finch

Adult males have a rosy-red head, breast, and back with brownish wings and tail. Females and immatures are duller, with a bold whitish eyebrow stripe, dark brown streaks below, and a distinct dark cheek patch bordered by white.

Rosy-red coloration (males), bold face pattern (females), stout conical bill, and slightly notched tail.

Length: 12-15 cm (4.7-5.9 in), Wingspan: 22-25 cm (8.7-9.8 in), Weight: 18-32 g (0.6-1.1 oz)

Call is a sharp, metallic 'tick' or a distinct 'pik'. The song is a rich, warbling series of musical notes delivered in a rapid, cheerful stream.

Primarily seeds, buds, and berries, supplemented by insects during the summer breeding season.

Coniferous and mixed forests during breeding season; deciduous woodlands, brushy areas, and suburban yards in winter.

Partial migrant. Northern populations migrate south for the winter, while western populations often move to lower elevations.

Builds an open cup nest of twigs, rootlets, and grass lined with fine hair, typically placed high in a conifer. Clutch size is usually 3-5 pale greenish-blue eggs with brown spots.

House Finch (males have browner/streaked flanks and less red on the crown; females lack the distinct bold whitish eyebrow of the Purple Finch) and Common Redpoll.

Acts as an important seed disperser and plays a role in controlling insect populations during the breeding season.

Least Concern, though populations have experienced some declines due to competition with the introduced House Finch.

Look for them at backyard bird feeders offering sunflower or nyjer seeds, especially during winter migrations in wooded suburban areas.

Ornithologist Roger Tory Peterson famously described the male Purple Finch as a 'sparrow dipped in raspberry juice'.