This one might be a Purple Finch...The book says the main difference is the House Finch lacks the red crown instead having a brown cap. Still very hard to tell them apart.
This one I believe is the Purple Finch...Looks like a red head and cap.
I believe this couple is the House Finch.
Purple Finch?
Purple Finch couple ..If anyone can help me tell them apart please let me know. They are both a joy to have in the garden.
Unfortunately variations in coloration of a finch (as with most birds) can make it hard. The way I tell is to think about the brown streaks along the lower breast and belly. This is for the Males, I look to see if there is a lot of brown streaking. It there is and the brown streaks are well defined, then it's a House finch. If the streaks are less defined and there's only a few on the sides, then it's a Purple finch. Another good way is to look at the wings. The House finch has a white wing band. The Purple finch does not. Also, the Purple finch (Male and Female) have a dark cheek patch, just behind and low to the eye. It's noticeable on both sexes. You can see it really well on a female and you can see it as a much darker red patch on the male. The House finch does not have that very dark cheek patch.
ReplyDeleteGo to http://lansingwbu.blogspot.com/2009/05/house-finch-vs-purple-finch.html and click on the photo of the four finches and you will get a large photo that really shows the differences. Hope this helps...
It appears that all the photos are of House finches. Purple finches are getting pretty scarce nowdays, but House finches seem to be on the rise. They do so much better around people than Purple finches do.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the information...I will check out the website...
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