Quick Answer
Purple finches and pine siskins are two types of small songbirds that are common across North America. While they may appear similar at first glance, there are some key differences between them:
- Plumage – Male purple finches have reddish-purple plumage; pine siskins are streaked brown and yellow.
- Beak – Purple finches have thicker, conical beaks adapted for cracking seeds; pine siskins have slender, pointed beaks.
- Range – Purple finches are more common in eastern North America; pine siskins range across nearly the entire continent.
- Habitat – Purple finches prefer deciduous and mixed forests; pine siskins are found more often in conifers.
- Diet – Purple finches eat seeds, buds, and fruits; pine siskins rely more heavily on conifer seeds.
- Song – Purple finches have a blurry, buzzy warble; pine siskins have a descending metallic trill.
Knowing the differences in appearance, behavior, habitat, and voice makes it easier to distinguish these two similar-looking species. Read on for more detailed comparisons.
Appearance
The most striking difference between purple finches and pine siskins is the coloration of the males. As their name suggests, male purple finches have plumage that ranges from raspberry-red to purplish-crimson on their heads, breasts, backs, and rumps. Their bellies are whitish with dark streaks. Females are mostly brown with heavy streaking above and narrow streaks on the underparts. They have bold white stripes over their eyes.
Bird | Plumage |
---|---|
Purple Finch | Males are reddish purple; females are heavily streaked brown |
Pine Siskin | Streaked brown and yellow; yellow on the wings and tail |
In contrast, pine siskins of both sexes are predominantly streaked brown and yellow. There are yellow patches on their wings and tail feathers. The streaking helps provide camouflage as they feed on conifer seeds. The plumage of juveniles resembles the females. Compared to purple finches, pine siskins have pointier bills that are specialized for removing seeds from conifer cones.
Purple finches tend to be larger than pine siskins. Purple finches are 5.5-6.5 inches long with a wingspan around 10 inches. Pine siskins measure just 4-5.25 inches in length with an 8 inch wingspan.
Size Comparison
Bird | Length | Wingspan |
---|---|---|
Purple Finch | 5.5-6.5 in | ~10 in |
Pine Siskin | 4-5.25 in | ~8 in |
The thicker conical bill of a purple finch compared to the narrow pointed bill of a pine siskin is another helpful identification clue. Pine siskins also have notches in the tips of their tail feathers that are absent in purple finches.
Distribution and Habitat
Purple finches and pine siskins occupy overlapping ranges across much of North America. However, there are some key differences in their typical habitats.
Purple finches breed across Canada and the northeastern United States. They are rare west of the Great Plains. Though they move south in winter, they are still predominantly an eastern species.
Pine siskins have an enormous range that encompasses nearly all of North America. They can be found year-round across Canada and the western United States as well as parts of Mexico. Pine siskins undergo irruptions in some years when populations spike and they expand into unusual areas of the continent.
Bird | Breeding Range | Winter Range |
---|---|---|
Purple Finch | Northeastern U.S., across Canada | Throughout breeding range, south to Gulf Coast |
Pine Siskin | Across Canada, western U.S., even into Mexico | Breeding range, southern Canada, northeastern U.S. |
In terms of preferred habitat, purple finches breed in moist coniferous, mixed, and deciduous woodlands. They rely on trees for food and nesting sites. Pine siskins are much more closely associated with coniferous forests across their range. They depend on conifers for both food and shelter.
Backyard feeders may attract both species, especially in winter. But a sighting of purple finches is more likely on the east coast while pine siskins will be regulars at western feeders. Careful observation of subtle habitat preferences can provide helpful clues for identification.
Diet
The diets of purple finches and pine siskins align with their distinct bill shapes and habitat preferences.
Purple finches use their sturdy beaks to crack open and consume a variety of seeds and nuts. Common foods include black oil sunflower seeds, nyjer thistle, millet, and unhulled sunflower seeds. They also feed on tree buds, fruit, and berries. Purple finches may forage on the ground for fallen seeds but more frequently feed on them directly on plants.
The slim bills of pine siskins have evolved for extracting small seeds from conifer cones. Their saliva helps stick the seeds together as they pull them out. Pine siskins also have a unique ability to hang upside down while feeding to maneuver around cones. In addition to conifer seeds, they supplement their diet with nyjer and other small seeds, fruit, and tree buds. They commonly travel and feed in large migrating flocks.
Bird | Diet |
---|---|
Purple Finch | Variety of seeds, nuts, buds, fruits. Favorite seeds are sunflower, nyjer, millet. |
Pine Siskin | Mainly conifer seeds, also nyjer and other small seeds. Hang upside down while feeding. |
Offering a range of feeder foods may help attract both species. But pine siskins are more likely to focus on small nyjer thistle while purple finches enjoy larger seeds they can crack open with their powerful beaks. Watching feeding behavior provides helpful clues to identification.
Song and Call
Though they may look somewhat similar, purple finches and pine siskins sound very different. Learning their distinct vocalizations can make identification much easier.
Male purple finches sing a blurry, buzzy warbled song. It is longer and more complex than the simpler songs of female purple finches. Their call is a flat, blunt “pit” or “plink” sound. They make chip notes while traveling or when startled.
Pine siskins are very vocal and make frequent high, wheezy descending trills while feeding and flying. Their song is faster and higher-pitched than purple finch vocalizations. Pine siskins produce short rising “zree” calls along with chattering “zrrrr” sounds.
Bird | Song | Call |
---|---|---|
Purple Finch | Blurry, buzzy warble | Flat “pit” or “plink” |
Pine Siskin | Fast, wheezy, descending trill | Rising “zree”, chattering “zrrrr” |
Though songs can vary regionally, becoming familiar with the voices of each species is a great way to distinguish them. Pine siskins are especially vocal and make their presence well known. Purple finch songs are less frequent but have a rich warbling quality when they occur.
Behavior
There are some subtle differences in the typical behavior of purple finches versus pine siskins as well:
- Purple finches are often solitary or travel in pairs outside of the breeding season. Pine siskins form large nomadic flocks most of the year.
- Pine siskins may nest colonially with multiple pairs in one tree. Purple finches are solitary nesters.
- Purple finches frequently perch prominently on tops of trees. Pine siskins stay well-hidden in conifers while feeding.
- Purple finches bathe frequently by splashing in small pools of water. Pine siskins take dust baths more often.
However, there is some overlap in behavior and neither species is easily categorized. For example, both may occasionally nest in each other’s preferred habitat. Getting a handle on their typical habits, flocking tendencies, and postures can provide helpful clues but is not foolproof. Observing a combination of factors is best for reliable identification.
Conclusion
Purple finches and pine siskins share some similarities that can make differentiating these two species tricky. However, with careful observation of plumage colors, beak shape, habitat, behavior, and especially song, they can be confidently distinguished. The bright red plumage of male purple finches compared to the streaked brown pine siskins offers the most obvious difference. Subtle variations in beaks adapted to specialized diets provide another useful clue. Geography and habitat preferences also set the two species apart, with purple finches being an eastern species more common in forests and pine siskins dominating the west in coniferous environments. Finally, learning the blurry warble of a purple finch versus the wheezy trill of a pine siskin makes identification easy even without a visual. Being attentive to all these nuances through patient observation will soon have even beginning birders readily telling purple finches and pine siskins apart.