Purple Finch

Roger Tory Peterson said it best when he described the male Purple Finch as "a spar-
row dipped in raspberry juice." In winter, when they are best seen, finches visit bird-
feeders on the outskirts of the city in small flocks to shell small seeds with their large
bills. Their dry pik! calls help to keep flocks together.
During the breeding season, these birds establish themselves in open areas on the
edges of coniferous woodlands. Their nests are usually placed in coniferous trees, but
occasionally a nest may be built in a suitably dense hedge in a garden. The female
incubates four to five eggs for about 13 days.
Similar Species: House Finch  male has obvious brown streaks on belly and
less red on nape, back and wings; female lacks distinct cheek patch; squared tail in
flight. Black-headed Grosbeak female is larger and has white wing bars.

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