Purple Finch

Habitat:

The male Purple Finch is not really purple but more an old-rose color. This species is common in the North and East and along the Pacific seaboard, but rare in between. Its habitat includes woods, groves, suburbs. Breeds mostly in coniferous and mixed woods.

Diet:

Seeds, buds, berries, insects. Feeds mostly on seeds in winter, including seeds of trees such as ash and elm, as well as weed and grass seeds. Also eats buds of many trees and many berries and small fruits. Eat some insects such as caterpillars and beetles,mainly in the summer. Young may be fed mostly on seeds.

Courtship:

In courtship, male hops near female with his wings drooping, tail raised, chest puffed out, then vibrates wings until he rises a short distance in the air.

Nest:

The nest (mostly built by the female) is placed on a horizontal branch or fork of a tree, often well out from the trunk. Nest is a compact, open cup of twigs, weeds, rootlets, strips of bark, lined with fine grass, moss, animal hair.

Eggs:

4-5, sometimes 3-6. Pale greenish blue, marked with black and brown. Incubated by the female, about 13 days.

Young:

Both parents feed the nestlings. Young leave nest in about 2 weeks after hatching. One brood per year.

 Home Page