House finches and purple finches are two common backyard birds found throughout much of North America. They belong to the finch family Fringillidae and have some similarities in appearance, which can make them tricky to tell apart. However, there are key differences between house finches and purple finches when it comes to their size.
House Finch Size
The house finch is a small-bodied finch species. Males measure approximately 5.1-6.3 inches (13-16 cm) in length and weigh 0.6-0.9 ounces (18-27 g). Females are slightly smaller, measuring 4.7-5.9 inches (12-15 cm) and weighing 0.5-0.7 ounces (16-22 g).
Here are the typical dimensions for house finches:
| Measurement | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Total length | 5.1-6.3 in (13-16 cm) | 4.7-5.9 in (12-15 cm) |
| Wingspan | 8.7-9.8 in (22-25 cm) | 8.3-9.4 in (21-24 cm) |
| Weight | 0.6-0.9 oz (18-27 g) | 0.5-0.7 oz (16-22 g) |
The wingspan ranges from 8.7-9.8 inches (22-25 cm) across. Overall, the house finch has a fairly petite stature compared to many other finches.
Purple Finch Size
The purple finch is slightly larger-bodied than the house finch. Males measure approximately 5.9-6.7 inches (15-17 cm) in length and weigh 0.8-1.1 ounces (24-32 g). Females measure 5.5-6.3 inches (14-16 cm) and weigh 0.7-0.8 ounces (21-25 g).
Here are the typical dimensions for purple finches:
| Measurement | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Total length | 5.9-6.7 in (15-17 cm) | 5.5-6.3 in (14-16 cm) |
| Wingspan | 10.2-11.0 in (26-28 cm) | 9.8-10.6 in (25-27 cm) |
| Weight | 0.8-1.1 oz (24-32 g) | 0.7-0.8 oz (21-25 g) |
The wingspan ranges from 9.8-11.0 inches (25-28 cm). So purple finches are distinctly larger than house finches.
Key Size Differences
Let’s summarize the key size differences between house finches and purple finches:
- Purple finches tend to be 0.8-1.4 inches longer in total body length than house finches.
- Purple finches have a wingspan that is about 1-2 inches larger than house finches.
- Male purple finches weigh approximately 0.2-0.4 ounces more than male house finches.
- Female purple finches outweigh female house finches by around 0.1-0.2 ounces.
So although there is some overlap, purple finches generally tend to be distinctly larger and chunkier overall compared to house finches. The size difference is most apparent when observing the two species side by side.
Differences in Proportions
In addition to the size differences, purple finches and house finches show subtle differences in body shape and proportions:
- Purple finches have a stouter, chunkier body, larger head, and thicker neck compared to the more slender house finch.
- House finches have a proportionately longer tail and slimmer bill than purple finches.
- The wings of purple finches appear broader and more rounded at the tips compared to house finches.
So although the size ranges overlap, the purple finch’s stockier body shape and proportions give it a larger overall impression than the house finch.
Plumage Differences
Plumage differences provide more reliable ways to distinguish these two finch species:
- Male purple finches have bright raspberry red plumage on the head, breast, back, and rump. Their wings and tail are brownish.
- Male house finches have a red head, breast, and rump, but lack the broad red back. Their wings and tail are gray-brown.
- Female purple finches are mostly brown with subtle streaking. Female house finches are gray-brown with heavy streaking.
So the purple finch’s dark wings provide the best clue. House finches never exhibit such dark wing plumage.
Geographic Ranges
These species also differ in their geographic distributions, which can provide helpful clues about identification:
- House finches live across most of North America, the Southwest, Mexico, and Hawaii. They are very common at backyard feeders.
- Purple finches mostly breed in Canada and the Northeastern U.S. They are rare in the Southwest and Mexico.
So if you spot a finch in the Southwest that resembles a house finch, it’s almost certainly just a house finch. The range differences help rule out purple finches in many regions.
Conclusion
In summary, purple finches are distinctly larger than house finches in overall body mass and dimensions. The purple finch is stockier in proportions with a larger head and thicker neck. Plumage differences provide the most reliable identification feature, as purple finches display broad raspberry red back plumage and much darker wings than house finches. Geographic range provides another useful clue, as purple finches are rare in much of the Southwest. So combined with subtle proportion and plumage differences, the larger size of purple finches helps distinguish them from the smaller house finches.
