Difference Between a Purple Finch & a House Finch

Finches are small songbirds that are found throughout the United States and in various regions around the world. Though some varieties are kept as pets, others are observed in nature by birdwatchers who enjoy watching winged visitors to their backyard bird feeders. The purple finch and house finch are two varieties that bird enthusiasts like to watch. Though both are similar in appearance, there are specific ways to distinguish between these two popular finches.

  1. Feather Coloration

    • Though male purple and house finches have colored feathers, the feathers of the male house finch are brighter than those of the male purple finch. The male house finch has bright red color patterns on his face, head and belly, and brown feathers on his back, tail and wings. The male purple finch differs in appearance because he has pale pinkish-red feathers on his breast and head, with a white belly and brown feathers on the rest of his body. His feathers are not nearly as vibrant as those of the male house finch. The feathers of the females of both finches are primarily brown. However, the female house finch has darker brown wing feathers, while the female purple finch has defined white markings on her face.

    Body Appearance

    • The male house finch has vibrant feathers compared to his female counterpart.

      The body differences of the purple and house finches are the easiest ways to tell the two varieties apart. Purple finches have heads and bodies that are larger and rounder than those of house finches. Their tails also are shorter. If a visiting finch has an oblong head, short wings and a narrow body, you probably are observing a house finch. Another distinctive difference between the two finches is that the purple finch has a defined notch in its tail while the house finch's notch is not as obvious.

    Flock and Behavior Patterns

    • If you notice a flock of noisy finches in your backyard, your visitors most likely are house finches. This finch variety is comfortable being close to humans, and often nests in birdhouses or near barns, garages and homes. Purple finches usually show up at bird feeders singly or in pairs and are less noisy. They also are not as aggressive as house finches, and usually build their nests away from humans in wooded areas or among groups of seed-bearing trees.

    Locations

    • Purple finches are found commonly in the eastern, southern and mid-western United States, and in areas along the Pacific coast. They also are found throughout Canada. House finches are found throughout most of the United States, Mexico and North America year round. In some locations, particularly in the eastern states, the house finch has been blamed for fewer numbers of purple finches because they often take over regions in which both varieties compete for food and nesting areas.