Separating Purple Finch and House Finch

As autumn blankets our region with seasonally-chilly weather, it’s time to keep an eye out for northern bird species that spend their winters here in Philadelphia, such as regularly-occuring Dark-eyed Juncos and White-throated Sparrows.  There is also the possibility of others, such as Red-breasted Nuthatch, Pine Siskin and Purple Finch. In some years, we encounter many of these, other years maybe not a single one.  This phenomenon has little to do with weather, but is related to  availabilty of food resources in their northern habitats. A shortage of food means they have to range farther afield to find it.

Purple Finches are one of the species whose local occurence varies widely each winter, depending on what’s going on in the north. They look very similar to and are often confused with abundant, widespread, resident House Finches.

Male House Finch (left) and male Purple Finch (right)

Comparing the two species reveals subtle but important distinctions. The first thing we notice about the two male birds above is the colour. The Purple Finch on the right has considerably more colour over the back, wings and and flanks. While there is much variation in the colour of a House Finch, from red to orange, the Purple Finch is more of a pink or rose wine colour. Structural differences are evident, with the Purple Finch being bulkier with a larger head and pot-belly than the House Finch.  The former’s shape and size reminds me more of a House Sparrow.

House Finch. Male (top) female (lower)

Looking at a pair of House Finches, we see that, overall, they are both a diffused brown color, with blurred underbelly and flank streaks.  The male has a red coloured head and breast, as well as a matching red rump (not visible in the above photo).

Purple Finch. Male ( left) female (right)

By contrast, the pair of Purple Finches are more striking. Note the pattern on the head. The female head features a distinct white eyebrow or supercilium. The female underbelly is noticeably white, with cleaner, less diffused, brown streaks compared to the muddy appearance of a female House Finch.

Male Purple Finch

On this male Purple Finch, note the forked tail, short tail and long primaries, compared to the House Finch below. The Purple Finch also has a straighter culmen (upper mandible), or edged bill.

Male House Finch

The difference in colour between male House Finch versus Purple Finch is quite evident, with the House Finch being more red and less rosy-coloured than the Purple Finch. The House Finch has a longer tail and shorter primaries, compared to the Purple Finch. The edge to the culmen (upper mandible) is slightly curved compared to being straight on a Purple Finch.

Female Purple Finch

These final two photos illustrate clear differences between female Purple and House Finches. The pattern is considerably bolder on the Purple Finch (above), with a dark ear covert that is outlined above by a striking white supercilium and below by a white malar. The clean white belly accentuates crisp brown streaks. The female House Finch (below) is overall dingy in color with blurred streaks on the flanks and belly. Note the difference in the shape of the end of the tail – forked or notched tail on a Purple Finch, squarer on a House Finch.

Female House Finch

With a little practice and referencing these identification tips, Purple Finches and House Finches can be easily separated in the field by structure and colour.  Keep your backyard feeders stocked this winter, and enjoy the quest for uncommon winter visitors!