Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus)

Spring is in the air (cf. Tree Swallows)! Look at this pretty pair of Purple Finches I spotted high up in the canopy near Turtle Pond.

How can we tell the Purple Finch from the more common House Finch? If we're attentive, there are a few clues we that can assist us. The male Purple Finch (on the left) lacks streaking on his underparts, has a more raspberry coloration, and has reddish tinting extending onto his wings (all in a all a "cleaner" looking bird than the House Finch). The female Purple Finch has facial streaking that the House Finch lacks.