The Purple Finch is the bird that Roger Tory Peterson famously described as a “sparrow dipped in raspberry juice.” I see them only in the winter, usually January and February, and not every year at that. But each time, it’s a delight. Separating them from House Finches requires a careful look, but after a few times of studying the differences, it becomes easy. Purple finches add a beautiful splash of color to the winter landscape and their clear, crisp, warbling song is another reason they are such welcome visitors.
