Purple finch facts for kids
The purple finch (Haemorhous purpureus) is a beautiful bird that belongs to the finch family, called Fringillidae. These birds are found in North America. They make their homes and raise their young in the northern United States, southern Canada, and along the west coast of North America.
Quick facts for kids Purple finch |
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| Scientific classification | |
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Haemorhous
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| Species: |
purpureus
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| Range of C. purpureus Breeding range Year-round range Wintering range | |
| Synonyms | |
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Burrica purpurea |
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Contents
Understanding Purple Finch Names
The purple finch got its official name in 1789. A German scientist named Johann Friedrich Gmelin described it. He first put it in the bird group called Fringilla. He gave it the scientific name Fringilla purpurea.
Different Types of Purple Finches
Today, scientists recognize two main types, or subspecies, of the purple finch:
- H. p. purpureus: This type lives in central-south and southeast Canada, and the northeastern USA.
- H. p. californicus: This type is found in southwest Canada and the western USA.
These birds used to be grouped with other finches from Europe and Asia. But scientists found that the North American purple finches are not closely related to those birds. So, they were moved to their own special group, the genus Haemorhous.
What Does a Purple Finch Look Like?
Purple finches are small birds. They are about 12 to 16 centimeters (5 to 6 inches) long. They usually weigh around 23 grams (0.8 ounces). They have a short, split brown tail and brown wings.
Male and Female Purple Finches
Adult male purple finches are easy to spot. They have a beautiful raspberry-red color on their head, chest, back, and rump. Their back also has some streaks.
Female purple finches look different. They have light brown feathers on their upper body. Their underside is white with dark brown streaks. They also have a clear white line above their eye on their face.
Differences Between Subspecies
The H. p. californicus type of purple finch looks a bit different from the other type. It has a longer tail and shorter wings. Both males and females of this type have darker feathers. The females also have a more greenish color. This type also has a longer beak.
Where Do Purple Finches Live?
Purple finches like to live in coniferous (like pine trees) and mixed forests. You can find them in Canada and the northeastern United States. They also live in different wooded areas along the Pacific coast of the U.S.
Purple Finch Migration
Some purple finches, especially those from northern Canada, travel south for the winter. This journey is called bird migration. They fly to the southern United States. Other purple finches stay in the same area all year long.
Sharing Their Home
Sometimes, purple finches have to share their living spaces with another bird called the house finch. House finches are originally from the western U.S. and Mexico. These two bird species like similar places to live. Often, house finches are better at finding food and nesting spots in the summer. This can sometimes make it harder for purple finches to find homes in the eastern United States.
Purple Finch Behavior
What Do Purple Finches Eat?
Purple finches look for food in trees and bushes. Sometimes, they even search for food on the ground. They mostly eat seeds, berries, and insects. They really enjoy eating sunflower seeds, millet, and thistle seeds.
Purple Finch Reproduction and Nesting
Purple finches prefer to build their nests in forests. They usually avoid busy city areas. However, you might sometimes find them in quiet country neighborhoods. The female purple finch typically builds her nest on the horizontal branches of cone-bearing trees. She usually places it away from the main tree trunk. Sometimes, she might build it in a tree fork.
The nest is shaped like an open cup. It is made from small roots, twigs, and weeds. The inside of the nest is soft, lined with grass, animal hair, and moss.
Purple Finches in Culture
The purple finch is an important bird in the state of New Hampshire. In 1957, it was chosen as the official state bird. Another bird, the New Hampshire red hen, was also considered, but the purple finch was chosen instead.
