Fun Facts About Purple Finches

• The Purple Finch is the state bird of New Hampshire.
• During the winter Purple Finch will often forage and roost with mixed flocks of Pine Siskin and American Goldfinch. In these flocks they are socially dominate over the goldfinch and subordinate to the siskin. Watch for signs of this “pecking order” at your feeders.
• There was a time when Purple Finches were kept as caged birds because of their pleasing song.
• Purple Finches can be attracted to sources of salt.
• Leaf and flower buds are part of a Purple Finches diet. Fruit trees actually suffer little damage and may even benefit from this avian pruning.
• The average lifespan of a Purple Finch is estimated at two years.
• Ash tree seeds are an important part of the Purple Finches diet.
• There are only a few ways to tell a male Purple Finch apart from their House Finch counterpart. Male Purple Finches are noted for the red cap on their head, the lack of a brown marking behind the eyes, as well as the absence of streaking on their belly.
• Purple Finches are not actually purple. The Latin species name purpureus  means "purple" or other reddish colors.