[tjcritter]

How do you tell the difference between a purple finch and a house finch? I cannot see a difference in the photos and descriptions in my bird guide.

[KCFoggin]

Well for one thing, they look more raspberry in color

There is less underbelly streaking, shorter tail and a chunkier appearance in the male Purple Finch.

[JANJ]

Hi.

Take a look at these:

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw/Abo...chIDtable.html

http://losbird.org/los_news_183_98nov.htm#2

JanJ

[cavan wood]

Funny this question should come up today. I was looking at the 20 odd house finches at my feeder today and lementing the lack of purple finches this winter, when one landed on the feeder beside the house finches. Having not seen one for a year, the first thing that struck me was the overall "sparrow dipped in raspberry juice look". It doesn't just have red areas, but has shades of red almost everywhere. And in many cases, such as the first one linked by Jan, the male has that slightly crested look to it as well, as did my bird this morning.

Scott

[KCFoggin]

Originally Posted by cavan wood

Funny this question should come up today. I was looking at the 20 odd house finches at my feeder today and lementing the lack of purple finches this winter, when one landed on the feeder beside the house finches. Having not seen one for a year, the first thing that struck me was the overall "sparrow dipped in raspberry juice look". It doesn't just have red areas, but has shades of red almost everywhere. And in many cases, such as the first one linked by Jan, the male has that slightly crested look to it as well, as did my bird this morning.

Scott

LOL, got my first male about an hour ago too