Tag: Purple Finch

Erratic Migrants

Purple Finches (Haemorhous purpureus). Male, the colorful one in front, female, the brown and white one to the left, not in focus.

I don’t see them often at all. They’re said to be erratic migrants, following the ups and downs of cone crops. A friend and I have discovered that when I see a few of these birds, she will also be seeing a few at her bird feeders about 5 miles away.

At those bird feeders they’re attracted to black oil sunflower seeds and will check out the coniferous trees in your yard.

I guess I need to encourage more coniferous trees. I’d love to see these guys more often.

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Snow Falling On The Flowering Dogwood

An unusual sight in the mountains here around my cabin. As the snow falls upon the berries that remain, and the buds that are waiting for next spring on a Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida), a Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus) enjoys the few berries that are still there.

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Surprise Photo Op

Yesterday I was pleased when I got photos of a Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus) at one of the feeders, as it was passing through on the way to its summer breeding grounds. I figured as the day ended I wouldn’t see any more of these Finches. But I was wrong. I don’t know if this is one from yesterday’s encounter, or a different one coming through. The breeding season for the Purple Finch is spent in southern Canada, New England and the Pacific Coast.

This fellow is in an apple tree that will be in bloom in just a few days. The perfect setting for a photograph.

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Heading North

Today’s treat was to see two Purple Finches (Haemorhous purpureus), as they stopped at one of the feeders. A very brief stop for refreshment, on their journey north, to their summer breeding grounds. I was pleased I was able to capture one of them in pixels.

Purple Finches look very much like House Finches (Haemorhous purpureus). I’ve really studied this photo, along with all the other images of this fellow today. And over the years I’ve gotten images of other Purple Finches. Seems that I have never seen a House Finch. Surprising since Audobon.org tells me, “House Finches are currently among the most widespread and common birds across the United States.” Oh well.

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