March 22, 2009 -
Always a welcome sight at the end of winter and before the
first crocus, the purple finches came in a small group to
brighten the backyard. They look even cuter when
puffed up slightly to maintain a comfortable body
temperature.
Looking over last year's photos, I
noticed that we have pictures of these birds in every month
but September and December. Because the purple finch doesn't
stay long on each visit, it was surprising to find the
timing was spread throughout the year. I'm betting they
found us in the two off months, as well, while we were
distracted with who knows what. We'll be keeping a better
watch this year. Even though they really are
officially found year round in our area, we are still
surprised and excited when they come to our feeders.
January 28 - Today, according to the weather reports, we are having
the worst snow storm of this winter. Among all the frantic (goldfinches)
and bickering (pine siskins) we saw a pretty and welcome site.
There is nothing like a bright red bird to brighten an otherwise very
white and cold day. We always love to see our three cardinal
pairs, but they congregate at the safflower ground feeder. We placed this near some distant bushes for their
safety, not for the convenience of picture taking. What joy to see
a beautiful purple finch who sat right outside the window and was
ready for his close-up!
After waiting patiently on snag branches, he landed on and fed
from several nearby sunflower seed feeders. It was refreshing to
see he could accomplish this without the usual winter bird scuffle.
He even seemed to nod at the couple of house finches he probably knew
from his summer stay in our backyard.
Everyone agrees the purple finch is really not purple. Early
observers said this bird seems to have been dipped in raspberry juice.
The Latin name ending in purpureus actually means crimson. Our
misguided translation is probably the cause of naming this bird the
purple finch.
He is certainly a beautiful bird and a bright spot in any season's
landscape. He was a visitor in our yard from the second week of
April until July 4th.
We were fortunate to be able to watch babies brought to our feeders.
It was heart-warming to see mom and dad lovingly care for these balls of
fluff. The number of purple finches are believed to be declining in
eastern US. We have hope of return visits since, one nest can
be used for many generations.
On October 5th we saw a female purple finch. October 10th
brought home the male.
Purple Finch by any other Name
Pretty Carpodacus purpureus
Has us baffled and quite, quite curious.
"I do not care if you are fooled," he quipped.
"I am not purple but raspberry dipped."
Ornithologists and Latin scholars
Just picked the false name with no real bothers.
"Our odd purple name will do in a pinch,
But we prefer to be called crimson finch."
Food Mom
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Size:
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Length: 5-6in
Weight: .9 oz
Wingspan: 10 in
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ID:
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Male: Extensive raspberry red on head, back, breast and rump;
brown loreal (over beak) extending to auriculars (ear area);
white belly; brown tail and wings have pink edging; beak short,
gray and conical; grayish brown feet anisodactylous(three toes
point forward and one toe points backward)
Female and Juvenile: Streaked brown and white; heavy white
eyebrow and lower cheek stripe; brown cheek and lower
jaw
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Habitat:
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Woodlands and residential areas with trees
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Diet:
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Seeds (especially sunflower and nyjer), fruit, and some
insects
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Family Behavior:
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Mating Habits: Monogamous and solitary; 1-2 broods per year;
male sings and dances around female beating his wings vigorously
until he rises about a foot in the air
Local Breeding Period: Early to Mid-May
Nests: Cup shaped and made of twigs, weeds and grass, lined with
moss or hair; built by both male and female; usually placed in a
conifer tree
Eggs: 3-5 pale greenish blue with brown and black markings;
female incubates 12-13 days
Nestlings: Born altricial (helpless, naked, eyes closed) and
stay in nest 13-14 days; fed by both parents
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Social Activities:
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After breeding, travels in mixed-species flocks
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Range:
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Breeding: Northeastern US and Canada
Winter: Partial migration of northeastern to southeastern US;
periodic irruptions (travels away from breeding grounds when
food supply is reduced)
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Vocalization:
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Rambling, slightly hoarse warble; flight call short, hard "pik"
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Lifespan: |
Unknown |
