How to Attract Purple Finches (and Tell Them From House Finches)
Male purple finches look like they've been “dipped in raspberry juice,” as one famous field guide put it. They nest in northern and mountain forests and visit feeders across much of the US in winter.
What purple finches eat
Black-oil sunflower is their favorite. Tube and hopper feeders both work well.
If you only buy one seed, make it black-oil sunflower. It's high in fat, has a thin shell small birds can open, and nearly every seed-eating bird loves it.
Check price on Amazon for Wagner's Black Oil Sunflower Seed (opens Amazon)A simple, durable tube feeder that small songbirds love. Easy to fill, easy to clean, and built to last for years.
Check price on Amazon for Droll Yankees Classic Tube Feeder (20-inch, 6 ports) (opens Amazon)Purple finch or house finch?
Male purple finches are raspberry red on the head, back, and chest, with no brown streaks on the flanks. Male house finches are redder on the head and chest only, with brown-streaked sides.
Female purple finches have a bold white eyebrow and a dark cheek. Female house finches have a plain face.
Plant conifers
Spruce, pine, and other conifers give purple finches shelter and nesting spots, especially in the North.
Frequently asked questions
When will I see purple finches?
All year in the far North and the West Coast, and mostly in winter elsewhere. Some winters bring many more than others.
Do purple finches eat Nyjer?
Sometimes, but black-oil sunflower is much more popular with them.
Are purple finches actually purple?
Not really. Males are a rosy raspberry red.
Not sure which feeder fits your yard?
Answer three quick questions and we'll match you with the right setup.