Figure Out The Finches

Tips for identifying two strikingly similar backyard birds.

- Kelsey Roseth

It’s a rush when you can confidently recognize an elusive or hard-to-identify bird. That burst of adrenaline and pride is just one of the many rewards of being a birder. But the differences between house finches and purple finches are particularly tricky. Here are some important things to know about these look-alike birds when they stop to visit your feeder.

1. Range

The house finch is commonly found throughout much of the Lower 48. The range of the purple finch is restricted to the dense forests of the West Coast, southern Canada and the northeastern U.S. during breeding season. And purple finches may be seen anywhere in the southeastern states during fall, winter and spring.