Purple Finch

A brilliant male Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus) was spotted singing high in the trees above the Visitor Center. As the weather grows colder, these short-distance migrants are returning to the Mountain in pursuit of one of their main food sources: the seeds present in conifer cones. Males are raspberry red on their head, face, breast, and back. Females are brown overall with dark streaking and a strong eyebrow. In fact, both sexes present distinguishing facial markings that help differentiate them from the similar house finch. Listen for their distinctive warbling song on your next hike!

Photo by Patrícia Beltrão dos Santos.