Learn to distinguish a house finch from a purple finch. The best ID is the brownish streaks on the flanks of the male house finch and the purple smudges on the flanks of the male purple finch ( no real streaks ). The male purple finch has its purple-ish coloring on its wings/back/and rump.... Don't forget the crowns. The male purple finch crown is ruffled; that on the male house finch has a slicked down appearance.
The females are easier to distinguish than the males.The female house finch (left) has an exceptionally plain face. The female purple finch (right) , with its white facial stripes, is unlike any other sparrow-sized, sparrow-like bird. ,,,,,,Thanks very much Matt & Allen.
male house finch vs male purple finch
female house finch vs female purple finch |