Purple finches are a type of wild bird that can be found across parts of North America. Their range extends across Canada and the northern United States, including states like Minnesota. So yes, purple finches can be found in Minnesota.
What is a Purple Finch?
The purple finch (Haemorhous purpureus) is a species of finch native to North America. They are medium-sized songbirds with short, forked tails and notched tails. Male purple finches have bright raspberry red plumage on their heads, breasts, backs and rumps. Their bellies are white or whitish, and they have brown wings and tails. Females are much duller, with brown streaky plumage all over and white bellies. Purple finches closely resemble house finches, but male purple finches have red on their heads and breasts while male house finches have red only on their heads, throats and upper breasts.
Purple finches inhabit forests across Canada, Alaska and the northern and western United States. They are migratory birds, breeding in northern coniferous or mixed forests and wintering in more southern deciduous forests, parks and backyards. Purple finches mostly eat seeds, buds and fruits. They forage for seeds on the ground or in trees and shrubs. They occasionally eat insects like aphids and caterpillars. Purple finches build cup-shaped nests out of twigs, stems, bark and plant fibers in the branches of trees. They raise one to two broods per year with 3-6 eggs per clutch.
Range and Habitat
Purple finches are found across Canada and Alaska year round. Their breeding range extends across northern Alberta, central Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. During the winter they can be found throughout southern Canada and the northern United States, including states like Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Maine.
Purple finches breed in open coniferous or mixed forests, along forest edges, and more open spaces like clearcuts and burns. They prefer forests with spruce, fir, hemlock, pine and birch trees. In the winter they inhabit more deciduous forests, parks, backyards and feeders.
In Minnesota, purple finches can be found statewide but are more common in the northern and central regions. They breed in northern Minnesota’s coniferous and mixed forests. During winter they are found throughout the state in woodlands, parks and backyards.
Identification
Identifying purple finches is easiest during breeding season when the males have their bright red plumage. Outside of breeding season, females and young birds are harder to distinguish. Here are some tips for identifying purple finches in Minnesota:
- Bright red head, breast and rump on males (brown-streaked body)
- Bold white stripes over eyes
- Notched tail with white outer tail feathers
- Conical pinkish bill
- Distinctive rolling warble song
- Forages in trees and on ground for seeds
- Frequent bird feeders
The purple finch’s closest lookalike is the house finch. Males have red only on the head, throat and upper breast. They lack the bold white eyebrow stripe and have a straighter, less notched tail. Females are very difficult to differentiate. The best distinction is their habitat, with purple finches more closely tied to boreal forests than the generally more urban-adapted house finches. Purple finches also have a bit more streaking on the undertail coverts.
When to See Purple Finches in Minnesota
In Minnesota, the best times to spot purple finches are during spring and summer when the males are in their bright breeding plumage and the females are on nests. Here are the best times to see purple finches in Minnesota:
- Mid April to August: Breeding season. Males are bright red and females are nesting.
- May to July: Nesting period. Highest chance to find breeding pairs.
- June: Young fledge. Best chance to see juveniles.
- September to November: Fall migration. Finches pass through Minnesota heading south.
- November to April: Wintering period. Finches at feeders and in forests year round.
During the breeding season, look for purple finches in northern Minnesota’s coniferous forests. Listen for the male’s warbled song and look high in trees. In winter, purple finches can be seen at bird feeders statewide and in parks, yards and woodlands throughout Minnesota.
Conclusion
In summary, purple finches are medium-sized red and brown songbirds that inhabit forests across Canada and the northern United States, including Minnesota. Males have bright red plumage that makes them easy to identify in summer. Purple finches breed in Minnesota’s northern forests then spread statewide in winter when they frequent backyards and feeders. The best times to spot purple finches in Minnesota are during spring and summer when males are colorful, and females are nesting. So look and listen for these red finches in Minnesota’s forests, parks and yards!
