Purple Finch! - 18 Oct 2026

 

I got home from Lake Erie Metropark and had lunch with Robin. Looking out the back window I spotted the usual House Finches on the feeders. Note the streaked head, brownish cheeks, and uniform streaks down chest and belly. A close look at the beak and the upper culmen is slightly down-curved at the tip.

A third finch on the feeder had a distinct white eye streak and a dark cheek patch compared to the other birds. Purple Finch! I ran for the camera, and came back to find it gone. Luckily, it had flown to Bonnie's feeder next door. I was able to approach and get photos from next to her house. Note the white belly compared to the streaked belly of the House Finches (above).

Note the tip of the beak is straight.

The curious thing I find about Purple Finches is that they are surprisingly scarce in SE MI despite their distributions. They seem to be around, but not regularly reported during the winter. ???

Great find! First a Purple Finch at LEMP this morning, and now one on the feeder here in Brownstown!

Brownton Abbey, 26340 Higgins Way, Wayne, Michigan, US
Oct 18, 2026 12:23 PM - 12:28 PM
Protocol: Stationary
Checklist Comments:     Clear, cool, 50F, Feeder
2 species

House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)  3
Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus)  1     Female on feeder. Pics

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S403521837

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