Purple Finch – April 8th 2015

I have been watching for a purple finch all winter.

This chunky little bird is about the size of a sparrow and brightly colored. I was very exciting to see a pair of them this afternoon.



A member of the finch family, the scientific name is Haemorhous purpureus.

This little guy is a year round resident of our Northern NY. They seem a little more rare than the house finches or redpoll we get around the property. Some of them migrate South from Canada.

This batch may be headed back north and stopped by for a meal.

They were hitting the black oil sunflower seeds and loitering in the lilacs.

We will keep our eyes peeled and ears open for this one.

Learn more about the purple finch at Cornell University