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Here is a simple visual guide to identification for the Purple Finch and House Finch in Berks County. These two species are often confused but a few ID keys help determine which one you’re seeing at your feeders.
The House Finch is the most common of the two species, being seen 15x-20x more often than the Purple Finch. Both birds will visit feeders. While Purple Finches are uncommon over all in Berks County (Thus who eBird is saying this bird is rare), they are usually seen in the winter months and rarely ever seen between spring and fall.
Male Purple Finch
Male House finch
- Raspberry in color, glowing
- Raspberry color extends down the back and into the wings
- Wings are mixed, being brown and raspberry
- Dirty/Muted red in color
- Dirty/Muted red color limited to head and breast
- Wings are brown and lack red coloring
Female Purple Finch
Female House Finch
- Clear white eyebrow
- Breast stripes are fewer and bold
- Eyebrow and breast stripes are striking
- Lacks white eyebrow
- Breast stripes are thin and many
- Overall drab bird
