Purple Finch vs Pine Siskin

Purple Finch

Haemorhous purpureus

How to recognise a purple finch?

General appearance

The purple finch is about the size of a Robin and has similar resemblance with the House Finch. However, it has a chunkier body and a shorter tail. Its most distinctive feature is its coloring which can be red, brown, tan or white. The finch also exhibits pointed wings and a notched tail shape.

Male vs female

Adult males are washed uniformly with dull red on their head and foreparts with an absence of visible dark stripes on their sides. The females, on the other hand, exhibit much stronger face patterns. This includes a dark whisker and a more distinguished whitish eyebrow. Both genders display the species’ characteristic chunky build.

Juvenile

Young purple finches similarly exhibit more prominent face patterns compared to their adult counterparts, which includes a dark whisker and a whitish eyebrow. However, their coloration might not be as defined as in adults. When identifying in the wild, particularly in the mountain west, you may encounter and need to distinguish from the Cassin's Finch.

Size

4.7 - 6.3 in/0.6 - 1.1 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

Purple finches predominantly breed in coniferous and mixed woodlands, including forest interiors and edges. They also inhabit oak woodlands and streamside trees in the Pacific states.

Additional range

During migration and wintertime, they inhabit a variety of areas such as forests, suburbs, swamps, and overgrown fields. Their range indicates adaptability to semi-open and wooded environments.

Range Map

What do purple finches like to eat?

Natural diet

The purple finch's natural diet primarily consists of seeds, buds, berries, and insects. In winter, it mainly feeds on seeds from trees like ash and elm, as well as weed and grass seeds. It also consumes buds from various trees and a variety of berries and small fruits. During the summer, its diet includes insects such as caterpillars and beetles. Young finches are mostly fed seeds.

Bird feeders

At bird feeders, purple finches typically eat sunflower seeds, millet, and nyjer or thistle seeds. They are attracted to mixed seed blends and can also be offered fruit and suet.

What does a purple finch sound like?

The purple finch has a rich and complex range of vocalizations. Its song exhibits a distinctive warbling melody, filled with several variable patterns. Typical calls include a unique ticking sound when in flight. Other characteristic vocalizations encompass a series of chatters, chirps or chips, trills, and high-pitched whistles. The purple finch's call pattern is generally undulating, creating a dynamic auditory display.

Song

Audio by G. McGrane

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Pine Siskin

Spinus pinus

How to recognise a pine siskin?

General appearance

The pine siskin, similar to a goldfinch in size, shape, and behavior, ranges between 4 1/2 to 5 inches in size (11-13 cm). It displays a brown color, usually with heavy streaking. Notable features include a narrower, sharp-pointed bill and a plain face. Yellow edging can be observed in its wings and tail, particularly during flight. The wing shape is pointed, and the tail shape is a mixture of notched and square-tipped.

Male vs female

Differences between male and female pine siskins are not well pronounced. Both sexes share the same general appearance including coloration and physical features. However, during the breeding season, males may exhibit more vibrant coloring in an effort to attract females.

Juvenile

Juvenile pine siskins resemble adults but may have heavier streaking on their underparts. The juvenile plumage is usually replaced by an adult-like plumage after the first molt. The yellow edging on the wings and tail may be less noticeable in juveniles compared to adults.

Size

4.3 - 5.5 in/0.4 - 0.6 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The pine siskin primarily breeds in coniferous and mixed woods, particularly around edges or clearings, and occasionally in deciduous woods or isolated conifer groves.

Additional range

During migration and winter, pine siskins can be found in a variety of semi-open areas, such as woodland edges, weedy fields, and areas with conifers, mixed woods, and alders.

Range Map

What do pine siskins like to eat?

Natural diet

The pine siskin primarily feeds on a variety of seeds and other vegetable matter. Its natural diet consists mostly of seeds from trees such as alder, birch, and spruce, as well as seeds from various weeds and grasses. Additionally, the pine siskin consumes buds, flower parts, nectar, and young shoots. Insect consumption includes caterpillars and aphids. Pine siskins might also be attracted to salt in their natural environment.

Bird feeders

At bird feeders, pine siskins are commonly attracted to seeds. They especially enjoy thistle or nyjer seeds, which are often offered in specialized feeders. They may also consume black oil sunflower seeds. Bird watchers can attract pine siskins by providing these specific types of seeds in their feeders.

What does a pine siskin sound like?

The pine siskin vocalizes with a distinctive rising 'bzzzzzt' sound that resembles a hoarse goldfinch's song. Its call pattern is complex, often falling, rising, and undulating to produce various call types. These include a chatter or chirp/chip sound, a high-intensity 'hi' call, as well as trills and whistles. This singing bird's calls are an auditory delight due to its versatile and dynamic songs.

Call

Audio by Jonathon Jongsma

/ CC BY-SA 3.0

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Purple Finch

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Pine Siskin

Purple Finch

Haemorhous purpureus

General appearance

The purple finch is about the size of a Robin and has similar resemblance with the House Finch. However, it has a chunkier body and a shorter tail. Its most distinctive feature is its coloring which can be red, brown, tan or white. The finch also exhibits pointed wings and a notched tail shape.

Male vs female

Adult males are washed uniformly with dull red on their head and foreparts with an absence of visible dark stripes on their sides. The females, on the other hand, exhibit much stronger face patterns. This includes a dark whisker and a more distinguished whitish eyebrow. Both genders display the species’ characteristic chunky build.

Juvenile

Young purple finches similarly exhibit more prominent face patterns compared to their adult counterparts, which includes a dark whisker and a whitish eyebrow. However, their coloration might not be as defined as in adults. When identifying in the wild, particularly in the mountain west, you may encounter and need to distinguish from the Cassin's Finch.

Size

4.7 - 6.3 in/0.6 - 1.1 oz

There's more to learn about Purple Finch

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Pine Siskin

Spinus pinus

General appearance

The pine siskin, similar to a goldfinch in size, shape, and behavior, ranges between 4 1/2 to 5 inches in size (11-13 cm). It displays a brown color, usually with heavy streaking. Notable features include a narrower, sharp-pointed bill and a plain face. Yellow edging can be observed in its wings and tail, particularly during flight. The wing shape is pointed, and the tail shape is a mixture of notched and square-tipped.

Male vs female

Differences between male and female pine siskins are not well pronounced. Both sexes share the same general appearance including coloration and physical features. However, during the breeding season, males may exhibit more vibrant coloring in an effort to attract females.

Juvenile

Juvenile pine siskins resemble adults but may have heavier streaking on their underparts. The juvenile plumage is usually replaced by an adult-like plumage after the first molt. The yellow edging on the wings and tail may be less noticeable in juveniles compared to adults.

Size

4.3 - 5.5 in/0.4 - 0.6 oz

There's more to learn about Pine Siskin

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How to tell the Purple Finch from the Pine Siskin

Visual differences

The Purple Finch is larger, weighing 0.6-1.1 oz and measuring 4.7-6.3 inches, whereas the Pine Siskin weighs 0.4-0.6 oz and measures 4.3-5.1 inches. Purple Finches have a chunkier build with males washed in dull red and females with distinct face patterns. They have pointed wings and a notched tail. Pine Siskins display heavy brown streaking, have a slender, sharp-pointed bill, and show yellow edging on wings and tail. They exhibit a plain face with pointed wings and a mix of notched and square-tipped tail.

Key differences and behavior

Purple Finches and Pine Siskins exhibit distinct behaviors and habitat preferences, aiding field identification beyond visual cues. Purple Finches, prevalent in mixed and coniferous forests, engage in unique courtship displays with males hopping and singing to attract females. Conversely, Pine Siskins, known for irregular irruption migrations, also inhabit coniferous environments but showcase aerial courtship such as 'butterfly flight' and courtship feeding. Diets differ, with Purple Finches favoring a broad seed range, including tree seeds and berries, whereas Pine Siskins specialize in alder and spruce seeds, even seeking natural salts. Pine Siskins are more likely to frequent bird feeders, favoring thistle and sunflower seeds. While both species nest in trees, Purple Finches build higher in deciduous trees in the West, whereas Pine Siskins nest in upper conifer branches. These behavioral differences, alongside their habitat and food preferences, help distinguish these species despite overlapping ranges.

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Purple Finch or Pine Siskin?

Purple Finch

How to recognise a purple finch?

Habitat

What do purple finches like to eat?

What does a purple finch sound like?

Song

There's more to learn about Purple Finch

Pine Siskin

How to recognise a pine siskin?

Habitat

What do pine siskins like to eat?

What does a pine siskin sound like?

Call

There's more to learn about Pine Siskin

Purple Finch

There's more to learn about Purple Finch

Pine Siskin

There's more to learn about Pine Siskin

How to tell the Purple Finch from the Pine Siskin

Visual differences

Key differences and behavior

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Purple Finch

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Pine Siskin

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