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| Female Purple Finch on the window sill. |
Purple Finches are one of our winter birds. Most years we have them; some years we don't. 2011 is a good year for Purple Finches. The brightly colored, reddish-purple males give this species its common name, but I haven't been able to get a male to pose for photos yet. Besides, I think the striking brown and white patterns on the female are attractive too. You can see photos of males on the Cornell Labs site.
Cornell says, "Purple Finches breed mainly in coniferous forests or mixed deciduous and coniferous woods. During winter you can find them in a wider variety of habitats, including shrublands, old fields, forest edges, and backyards." At the feeder, they prefer sunflower seeds.
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| The best shot of a female Purple Finch's back I've been able to get thus far. |
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Not a good year here for finch migrants. I haven't seen a purple finch or a pine siskin at our feeders... yet. There is always hope.
ReplyDeleteWe've had a few purple finches earlier this year but they seem to have moved on. Love the photo of the female.
ReplyDeleteAt the bird feeder, I think everyone prefers sunflower seeds. :-)
ReplyDeleteI've seen male Purple Finches at my feeders, and will now be able to identify the females. Thanks. I need to add some more sunflower seeds to my feed mix. Great photos, Marvin.
ReplyDeleteLove this little pretty bird. Enjoyed going through your previous posts.
ReplyDeleteI have only had them visit a couple of time and I almost miss them with the house finch...I am happy to host them...Michelle
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute bird!
ReplyDeletenice shot
ReplyDeleteGreat shot of the purple finch, I wish I saw them more often.
ReplyDeleteWow! I have never gotten such great closeups of the Purple Finch female. And I too love the feeder and its color!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the great quote from Tolkien. We are reading the Fellowship outloud together after breakfast. A great winter endeavor.
The males are more colourful, but the females are attractive too. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
ReplyDeletecute little lady!
ReplyDeleteShe's a Beauty :)!
ReplyDeleteGlad they gad some food and rest at your place :)
What a lovely shot. Thanks for educating me about purple finches.
ReplyDeleteNice photos of a very cute little bird.
ReplyDeleteThese are amongst my favourites and she's a real beauty!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
ReplyDeleteA lovely little bird I don't see in the UK.
ReplyDeleteSo that's where my Purple Finches are. I have been missing them winter, I'm glad they could visit you for awhile.
ReplyDeleteNice shots! They are lovely little birds!
ReplyDeleteNice shots of a bird I'm not familiar with.
ReplyDeleteSuch a great shot!! We have them in winter and now the house finch are taking over the purples will go a bit farther north of me to nest.
ReplyDeleteA nice little lady. Great shots
ReplyDeleteAh the female Purple Finch! A lovely creature to be sure. From the front or behind it's a four star view!
ReplyDeleteCar-po-da-cus Pur-pur-e-us! That is a mouth full of Latin. ;-)WBW
It's funny but sometimes I don't notice that I have Purple Finches, amongst all the House Finches, until I see the females. I am lucky to have both finches and Pine Siskins at my feeders this winter!
ReplyDeleteExcellent shot of the female Purple Finch there Marvin. It shows her light eyebrow stripe very well, a field mark lacking in the female House Finch.
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