House Finch/Purple Finch comparison

[mattlev12]

i recently replied to some threads on bird ID between the 2 species, and thought i would show everyone else who cares to look. I used to photograph a lot of House Finches thinking they were Purple Finches, but i think when you first see a Purple Finch you will say.." ahhh...ok!....now thats a Purple Finch! "

The House Finch will have brownish streaks on its flanks while the Purple Finch has purple smudges on its flanks...no real streaks. The Purple Finch also has purple coloring on its rump and over all has a lot more color than the House Finch.....hope this helps anyone to distinguish these 2 beautiful birds....enjoy!

[mattlev12]

different angle...notice the purple coloring through out the back, wings, and rump on the Purple Finch?

[Shar824]

Great comparison shots Matt.....house finches I have plenty of, but I've never seen a purple finch.

[Chris]

Me either, lots of house finches and yellow finches but never seen a purple.

[Quizzical_Squirrel]

That's really helpful - thank you!

[nwyman]

great comparison shots! I once had some purples come through in April - they were almost lavender then. Real beauties.

[BGgraphy]

great shots Matt, the second post is a beauty!

[mayt444]

Thanks for the comparison shots Matt. Just to confuse matters, I think we get all three of the rose colored finches here in Central Oregon. The House, Purple, & Cassin's. The Cassin's were larger, had brown on the back of their neck, and had a longer, straighter bill.
Clay

[trmwf]

Thanks Matt, I needed that help and really glad you provided it. Very nice shots also!

[canonloader]

Great shots. The Purples are bigger too.

[mayt444]

I need to revive this thread. I posted one of my photos as a female Cassin's Finch on another site and was informed it was a female house finch. So, here we go again. The first shot is the female I posted that everyone said was a House Finch. The second shot is a male. The third and fourth I believe are both males although the last one has yellow markings instead of red. Now, all these birds came in to the feaders at the same time. What do you think.

Female;

Male:

Male:

Male?:

[BGgraphy]

Hello Matt, nice thread. I think after seeing these guys the easiest way to tell the difference is, are there stripes of any sort on the belly, no stripes and more purple= Purple Finch. Liked your shot of the yellow version, I have one around here that is definately Orange, something about their diet.
I still say your 2nd post is a real nice shot, beautiful bird!