The purple finch (Haemorhous purpureus) is a small songbird native to North America. They are found year-round across most of Canada and the eastern United States. Purple finches prefer forested areas, especially those dominated by coniferous trees, and are commonly found in mixed woodlands, parks and residential areas. They have a distinctive reddish-purple head and breast, with brown streaked bellies and wings. Males tend to be brighter and more colorful than females. In this article, we will explore the range and distribution of the purple finch across North America.
Breeding Range
Purple finches breed across Canada from British Columbia to Newfoundland. Their breeding range extends south throughout the eastern United States, as far south as northern Georgia. Some key areas where purple finches nest during the summer months include:
Western Canada
– Southern British Columbia
– Southern Alberta
– Southern Saskatchewan
– Southern Manitoba
Eastern Canada
– Ontario
– Quebec
– New Brunswick
– Nova Scotia
– Prince Edward Island
– Newfoundland
Northeastern United States
– Maine
– New Hampshire
– Vermont
– Massachusetts
– Rhode Island
– Connecticut
– New York
– Pennsylvania
– New Jersey
– Delaware
– Maryland
– West Virginia
– Virginia
Midwestern United States
– Michigan
– Wisconsin
– Minnesota
– Iowa
– Illinois
– Indiana
– Ohio
Southeastern United States
– Kentucky
– Tennessee
– North Carolina
– Northern Georgia
During the breeding season, which runs from late April to August, purple finches seek out coniferous or mixed forests and parks with plenty of trees, shrubs and sources of food and nesting material. They prefer to nest high up in conifers such as spruce, fir, hemlock, pine and cedar.
Wintering Range
In winter, purple finches retreat from the northern parts of their range and head south to find food and more moderate climates. Their winter range includes:
Western North America
– Southern British Columbia
– Washington
– Oregon
– Northern California
– Idaho
– Western Montana
Central North America
– Michigan
– Wisconsin
– Minnesota
– Iowa
– Northern Missouri
– Northern Illinois
– Indiana
– Ohio
– Southern Ontario
– Southern Quebec
– New York
– Pennsylvania
– New Jersey
– Maryland
– Delaware
– West Virginia
– Virginia
– Kentucky
– North Carolina
Northeastern North America
– Massachusetts
– Rhode Island
– Connecticut
– New Hampshire
– Vermont
– Maine
Southeastern North America
– Tennessee
– Northern Georgia
– Northern Alabama
– Northern Mississippi
– Northern Louisiana
– Arkansas
During winter, purple finches seek out conifers, deciduous trees and shrubs that still have fruit or seeds available. They often flock and feed with other finch species in mixed flocks. Backyard bird feeders stocked with black oil sunflower seeds are also excellent places to spot purple finches in winter.
Year-Round Range
Purple finches can be found year-round across most of their breeding range in Canada and the northeastern United States. Areas where they are resident throughout the year include:
– All provinces in Canada except Nunavut
– Alaska (rare)
– Washington
– Oregon
– Idaho
– Western Montana
– Michigan
– Wisconsin
– Minnesota
– New York
– Pennsylvania
– New Jersey
– New England (ME, NH, VT, MA, CT, RI)
In these areas, purple finches may migrate short distances to find food but do not make substantial migrations. They maintain year-round territories in coniferous or mixed forests. You can often find purple finches at backyard feeders in these regions during any season.
Migration
Purple finches are short to medium distance migrants within North America. Here are some key features of their migration:
– They migrate at night and cover 250-600 miles between breeding and wintering grounds.
– Fall migration occurs between September to November.
– Spring migration occurs between February to May.
– They often migrate in flocks, sometimes joining other finch species.
– Migration routes include:
– Northwest Canada to Pacific Northwest US
– Northeast Canada to Northeast/Mid-Atlantic US
– Midwest to Mid-Atlantic and Southeast US
Fall Migration
During fall migration, purple finches leave their breeding grounds in Canada and head south to the United States. Some key movements include:
– Birds in Eastern Canada migrate southwest to the Northeastern US
– Birds in Central Canada migrate south to the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic States
– Birds in Western Canada migrate south to the Pacific Northwest
– Birds in Alaska migrate through Western Canada to the Western US
Spring Migration
In spring, purple finches migrate north back to their breeding grounds in Canada following similar paths:
– Birds wintering in the Eastern US migrate northeast to Eastern Canada
– Birds in the Midwest migrate north to Central Canada
– Birds in the Pacific Northwest migrate north through Western Canada to Alaska
Habitat
Purple finches breed in a variety of forested habitats across North America including:
– Coniferous forests dominated by spruce, pine, fir, cedar, hemlock
– Temperate rainforests with mix of conifers and deciduous trees
– Deciduous forests with aspens, maples, oaks, birches
– Parks and residential areas with trees
In winter, they occupy similar habitats including:
– Coniferous and mixed forests
– Backyards and parks with fruiting trees, shrubs and feeders
Regardless of season, prime purple finch habitat contains a good mix of:
– Conifers for nesting and shelter
– Deciduous trees and shrubs for food
– Sources of seeds and fruit
– Presence of other finch species (often flock together in winter)
Population and Conservation Status
Purple finches are widely distributed and relatively common across their range. Partners in Flight estimates a global breeding population of 22 million with 67% living in the United States (14.7 million) and 33% in Canada (7.3 million). Their numbers reached a low point in the late 20th century but have rebounded in many regions in the past couple decades.
Region | Estimated Population |
---|---|
United States | 14.7 million |
Canada | 7.3 million |
Global | 22 million |
Purple finches are protected in the US and Canada by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. They have an IUCN conservation status of Least Concern and do not appear on any watch lists. Their populations appear stable currently across most of their range. Potential threats include:
– Habitat loss from logging and development
– Competition for food from house sparrows and starlings
– Collisions with windows and towers during migration
– Disease outbreaks such as mycoplasmal conjunctivitis
As long as sufficient breeding and wintering habitat remains, the purple finch population should remain secure. Planting native fruit and seed producing trees and shrubs can help provide habitat and food sources. Limiting pesticide use reduces food supply impacts. Following bird-friendly building guidelines helps reduce collision risks for migrating purple finches. Maintaining healthy wild bird populations and limiting contact with domestic birds reduces disease transmission risks. Through conservation measures like these, purple finches will continue brightening forests and backyards across North America for the foreseeable future.
Conclusion
In summary, purple finches breed across Canada and the northeastern United States and winter throughout southern Canada and the central and eastern United States. They inhabit coniferous and mixed forests year-round and migrate medium distances between breeding and wintering grounds each year. Purple finches have an extensive range across North America and a healthy, stable population estimated at 22 million globally. Their biggest conservation needs are protecting key breeding and wintering habitats and reducing risks during migration. With appropriate habitat available, purple finches should maintain thriving populations into the future.