The identification of these three finches of the Carpodacus genus can be
extremely difficult. Each species is about the same size and shape, each is colored red
with varying degrees of brown streaking, and each is common to feeder areas. What's more,
the ranges of these birds overlap quite a bit, primarily owing to the ubiquitous
distribution of the House Finch. In certain areas of the West, it is possible to encounter
all three species! Use the chart below to compare and contrast the features of each finch.
Visit the Lab's Bird
of the Week to find species accounts that detail the range, habitat, and food
preferences of each species. |
Slimmer body with short, stubby bill with curved culmen; longer tail
faintly notched.; Link to Bird of the Week description.
Listen to song.
|
Plumper body with short, conical beak; shorter,
deeply notched tail (Pacific birds have larger bills similar to Cassin's). Link to Bird of the
Week description.
Listen to song. |
 Slightly larger, chunkier body with large
head; shorter, deeply notched tail; slightly longer beak is heavy and conical with nearly
straight culmen. Link to Bird of the Week description
Listen to song. |
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| -intensity of red color varies in males from
yellow to orange to red; observer should rely on pattern of color rather than hue; -"headband"
of red with brown cap and brown cheek patch;
-red chin, upper throat, and breast fades into conspicuously streaked sides;
-brown wings and back, sometimes lightly washed with red, fades into red rump;
brown tail |
-deep raspberry color on most of head
(including nape, face, and throat) is underlain by darker ear coverts, nape, and
malar stripe, making the head appear contrasted at a distance; light stripe over eye; may
have peaked crown; -raspeberry carries onto hindneck (unlike Cassin's and House);
-reddish color of throat and breast diffuses into a variably but usually faintly
streaked lower breast and belly;
-extensive red color on back in eastern birds, less red in Pacific birds |
-bright red crown varies in intensity but
always contrasts sharply with pinkish reds found elsewhere on face and chin; also
contrasts with brown on hindneck; overall, lacks strong face pattern of Purple; may have
peaked crown; whitish eye ring; -rosy-pink throat, sides of the neck, and upper breast
quickly fade into finely streaked sides;
-dark brown wings, scapulars, and back fade into pinkish rump; brown tail
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-lacks the strong facial pattern of Purple Finch;-dull white underparts have longer,
less sharply defined streaks;
-undertail coverts have broad dark streaks
|
-strong face pattern: dark malar stripe separates a bold white "eyebrow' and a white
moustache;-underparts show heavy broad streaks;
-back and scapulars are brown and streaked;
-undertail coverts usually white with no streaks (usually
diagnostic from Cassin's)
|
-face shows a faint white "eyebrow" and moustache stripes; pale but
complete eye ring sometimes noticeable.-bright white underparts contrast with narrower,
sharply defined streaks
-undertail coverts show well defined dark streaks
against a white background |
More information on
the Carpodacus finches
 Birdscope
article: Separating Finches (Note:
clicking here will bring up a second browser window.)
This
Spring, 1997 article discusses the geographic distribution, habitat,
and migratory and feeding habits of these three species. Birdscope
is the quarterly newsletter received by Project FeederWatchers and members of the Cornell
Lab of Ornithology.
Bird-of-the-Week:
House Finch, Purple Finch, Cassin's Finch
The
Cornell Lab of Ornithology Bird-of-the-Week series contains detailed species
accounts as well as photographs and paintings
from a variety of sources. Each also contains identification tips that
compare and contrast similar-looking species.
|
Acknowledgements:
Resources used to compile
this species comparision: The Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Bird of the Week
series, Kenn Kaufman's Advanced Birding (a Peterson field
guide); the National Audubon Society's The Sibley Guide to
Birds; the National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North
America; Spring 1997 Birdscope article: Separating Finches
by Diane Tessaglia-Hymes and Ken Rosenberg.
Illustrations by Larry
McQueen, a world-reknowned bird artist whose work is highly regarded for its
ability to capture the true "essence" and beauty of birds. |
