Telling the difference between a female Purple Finch and a female House Finch can be challenging for beginner birders. However, with some knowledge of key identification features, these two species can be reliably distinguished.
Plumage Differences
The most noticeable difference between female Purple Finches and House Finches is in their plumage. Here are some key points of comparison:
- Purple Finch females have bold, blurred streaking on their underparts. The streaking is most pronounced on the flanks and breast.
- House Finch females have finer streaking on their underparts that is often concentrated in the center of the breast and belly.
- Purple Finches lack the bright reddish-orange patches found on the rump and shoulders of female House Finches.
- Female Purple Finches tend to be more brownish overall, while female House Finches are more gray.
Bill Differences
The bills of these two finches also differ:
- Purple Finches have thicker, stouter bills than House Finches.
- The bill of the Purple Finch has a more curved culmen or ridge.
- House Finches have pointier, conical bills that are better suited for eating small seeds.
Size and Shape
Purple Finches are noticeably larger and chunkier than House Finches. Here are some size and shape comparisons:
- Purple Finches are about 6 inches in length, while House Finches are about 5 inches.
- The wings of Purple Finches are broad and round compared to the more pointed wings of House Finches.
- When perched, Purple Finches have large, rounded heads and full bodies. House Finches look smaller and more slender.
Song and Call
The vocalizations of Purple Finches and House Finches also differ:
- Male Purple Finches have a blurry, buzzy warble ending in a downslur.
- House Finches make more bouncing, rhythmic songs with clear notes.
- Female Purple Finches give a flat, blunt “pit” call. House Finch females make a finer, higher “sit.”
Behavioral Differences
Some behavioral differences to look for include:
- Purple Finches are more solitary, shy birds that usually stay high in trees. House Finches are very gregarious and feed in large flocks on the ground.
- Purple Finches are more apt to hang upside-down from feeders. House Finches perch upright.
- Purple Finches are migratory, wintering north of their breeding range. House Finches are resident year-round across much of their range.
Preferred Habitats
These species frequent different natural habitats:
- Purple Finches breed in northern coniferous or mixed forests. They winter in more open deciduous woodlands.
- House Finches live year-round in open, urban and suburban areas across much of North America.
Range and Distribution
The breeding and wintering ranges of these finches also differ:
- Purple Finches breed across Canada and the northern U.S. They winter south into the Midwest and northeastern U.S.
- House Finches are abundant year-round across most of the southern U.S. into the southern Great Plains. Their range has expanded north and east from introductions.
Conclusion
Telling female Purple Finches and House Finches apart can be tricky. However, with practice looking at plumage patterns, bill shape, size and proportions, song and call, behavior, habitat, and range, identification is certainly possible. Observing these key differences in the field will eventually allow birders to distinguish these species reliably.
Here is a quick reference table summarizing the major differences between female Purple Finches and House Finches:
| Trait | Female Purple Finch | Female House Finch |
|---|---|---|
| Plumage | Bold blurred streaking on underparts | Finer streaking concentrated on belly |
| Bill Shape | Thick and strongly curved | Pointy and conical |
| Size | About 6 inches long, chunky | About 5 inches long, slender |
| Song | Buzzy, blurry warble | Bouncy and rhythmic |
| Call | Flat, blunt “pit” | Finer, higher “sit” |
| Behavior | Solitary, shy, feeds high in trees | Gregarious, feeds in flocks on ground |
| Habitat | Coniferous and mixed forests | Open, urban and suburban areas |
| Range | Breeds across Canada and northern U.S., winters south | Year-round across southern and central U.S. |
With practice, birders should be able to quickly recognize the differences summarized in this table when observing female Purple Finches and House Finches in the field. Over time, subtle plumage and structural differences that may seem confusing at first will become much easier to see. Getting to know the distinctive voices, behaviors, preferred habitats, and ranges of each species will also aid identification.
Some final tips for telling female Purple Finches and House Finches apart include:
- Look for blurry streaking and a stout curved bill to pick out Purple Finches.
- Remember the smaller size, pointed bill, and bright rump of House Finches.
- Pay attention to subtle plumage tones – Purple Finches are more brown, House Finches are more gray.
- Note differences in posture – Purple Finches may feed upside-down, House Finches perch upright.
- Listen for the buzzy ending to the Purple Finch’s song versus the rhythmic quality of the House Finch.
With practice and experience in the field, birders can master identifying female Purple Finches and House Finches correctly. Careful attention to detail is the key. The more opportunities you have to observe these species, the faster identification will become second nature. Eventually, the differences between female Purple Finches and House Finches will seem so obvious that you’ll wonder why you ever found them difficult to distinguish in the first place. So get out birding and start honing those ID skills today!
