Purple Finch (Carpodacus purpureus), Gilbert Water Ranch, Maricopa County

These Purple Finch was found and photographed by Tyler Loomis on 30 November 2015

Purple Finch is a casual transient and winter visitor with only five records since 2003, when it was reinstated on the review list. This year and last year were flight years for Purple Finch in the California deserts and there are nine prior pending reports. Three present at this location on this date, two shown in the bottom photo.

This finch is readily told from a House Finch by the strong face pattern. The best characters to separate this bird from a female Cassin's Finch are the overall greenish color, rounded culmen and blurry breast streaking. Also note the pale arc under the eye and lack of an eyering.

30 November 2015, photo by Tyler Loomis

All photos are copyrighted© by photographer