The purple finch is a small North American songbird known for its colorful plumage. Though similar in appearance to the house finch, the purple finch has a distinctive meaning and symbolism. Understanding the meaning behind the purple finch can offer insight into this unique bird.
What is a Purple Finch?
The purple finch, scientific name Haemorhous purpureus, is a species of finch native to North America. They are small birds, measuring 4.7-6.3 inches in length with a wingspan of 8.7-10.2 inches. Adult males exhibit brilliant plumage, with bright red on the head, breast, back and rump, and brown on the wings and tail. Females and juveniles have dull brown and streaky plumage. The purple finch breeds in Canada and the northern United States, and migrates south to the southern U.S. and Mexico in winter.
Purple finches are social birds that often travel and forage in flocks. They mainly eat seeds, buds and fruits. Their warbling, bubbly song is lively and melodious. They build nests in trees out of grasses, stems and moss. The female lays 3-6 eggs which hatch in 12-14 days. Purple finches face threats from loss of habitat, window collisions and disease.
Symbolism and Meaning
In many cultures, the purple finch has symbolic meaning relating to its vibrant coloration.
Passion and Vibrancy
The male purple finch’s bright red plumage is associated with passion, energy and vibrancy. This ties into the red finch’s symbolism in China, where red birds were seen as bringing good fortune, joy and celebration. The purple finch’s verve and liveliness reflect this auspicious meaning.
Spirituality
Purple is considered a deeply spiritual color, associated with divination and mysticism across many cultures. As a predominantly purple bird, the purple finch may signify heightened spirituality, magic and the metaphysical realm.
Creativity and Uniqueness
Purple is a blend of red and blue, and thus represents a balance of passion and calm. This makes purple symbolic of creativity, artistry and uniqueness. The purple finch’s distinctive purple shade may reflect these qualities of inventiveness and originality.
Purple Finch Symbolism in Culture
The purple finch appears in myth, literature and art, where its symbolic meanings are further established.
Native American Culture
In some Native American tribes, the gift of a purple feather was seen as way to strengthen a friendship. Purple finch feathers specifically represented trust, warmth and openness between friends. Spotting a purple finch may have been an indication that camaraderie was on the way.
Christianity
Purple finches are referenced sparingly in the Bible. In Psalm 84:3, the lyric “the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O Lord of hosts, my King, and my God,” may refer to purple finches nesting in places of worship.
Poetry and Literature
Purple finches have inspired poets for centuries. In early American poet John James Audubon’s “Purple Finch”, he describes the bird’s “full dress” and “warbling song.” More abstractly, the poetry collection “Purple Finch Song” by Ellen M. Ramsay uses the purple finch as a symbol of poetic beauty and the human spirit.
Interesting Facts About the Purple Finch
Beyond their symbolic significance, purple finches have many fascinating facts worth knowing.
Mimicry
Purple finches occasionally mimic sounds from other birds, even incorporating them into their own songs. Most often they copy chickadees, nuthatches, Eastern phoebes and Eastern wood-pewees.
Name Change
Originally called the “purple linnet”, the purple finch got its current name in 1831 when it was reclassified as a new species by German naturalist Wilhelm Ludwig von Lichtenstein.
East vs. West
Western purple finches have darker plumage with more brown than their Eastern counterparts. The two populations were once considered separate subspecies, but are now grouped together.
Winter Flock
Purple finches form much larger flocks in winter than summer. Flocks may contain upwards of a hundred birds rather than the looser groupings of breeding season.
Oldest Recorded
The oldest recorded purple finch was observed in 1987, over 12 years old. The average lifespan in the wild is just 2 to 3 years due to high predation rates.
Interesting Purple Finch Fact | Details |
---|---|
Mimicry | Purple finches sometimes mimic calls of other birds like chickadees and wood-pewees |
Name Change | Originally called the “purple linnet” until reclassified in 1831 |
East vs West | Western purple finches have darker plumage than Eastern ones |
Winter Flocking | Much larger flocks form in winter, sometimes over 100 birds |
Oldest Recorded | One purple finch recorded living over 12 years in 1987 |
Conclusion
With its dazzling purple and red plumage, melodious song and spiritual symbolism, the purple finch is a uniquely charming and meaningful bird. Once considered an auspicious sign of passion and friendship, the purple finch continues to capture human imagination through its artistic representations and surprising behaviors. Whether spotting one in the yard or reading about one in poetry, the distinctive purple finch delivers a touch of nature’s boundless creativity.