Singing Finch of Coniferous Forests
Overview
Purple Finches are often described as "sparrows dipped in raspberry juice" because of the red color of males. Females have a completely different coloring - brown and white. They live in coniferous forests where they often forage in the tree canopy and sing loud, lively warbling song. During the winter, they are known to move around unpredictably in search of food. During some years, known as "irruption" years, large numbers from Canada come to Vermont in search of food, while some of the Purple Finches in Vermont go further south.
Male
Conservation
Purple Finches are common in Vermont with only a slight population decline. Their biggest threat is the non-native House Finch from the western United States, which often outcompetes them for nesting sites.
Female