Purple finch is a sparrow-sized bird of the central and eastern United States, southern Canada, and North America’s west coast. The raspberry color of the male gives the purple finch its name. Both male and female feature a short, deeply notched tail; a stout bill; a large head; and wings of medium length. The purple finch measures about 6 inches (15 centimeters) long. It is the state bird of New Hampshire.
The male grows raspberry-colored feathers during his second autumn. The red color appears deepest on his head and rump. Brown streaks mark his back and wings. The female lacks any red coloring. Her grayish back and white belly appear heavily streaked with brown. A dark ear patch separates a broad white stripe above her eye from another one on her cheek. The immature male closely resembles the adult female.
The purple finch breeds in coniferous (cone-bearing) forests, parks, and orchards. It often builds its nest far out on the branches of trees. The female generally lays three to six pale, greenish-blue eggs speckled with brown and black. Purple finches feed mainly on blossoms, buds, fruit, insects, and seeds.
During the winter, purple finches in the West migrate to lower elevations. Those in the East tend to migrate to the southern United States in winter if food becomes scarce.
