Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus), Paige Creek, Pima County

These two Purple Finches was found and photographed by Paul Suchanek and Brian Nicholas on 12 December 2018

Paul Suchanek's and Brian Nicholas' photos represent two different individuals that were together.

Casual and irregular fall and winter visitor to Arizona. Historically more frequent in small numbers, but still casual. Interestingly, it has been documented in Arizona nearly annually for the past several years, with the strongest movement into the state in several decades occurring in 2015/16. However there was not a strong movement of this species this fall/winter.

This finch is readily told from a House Finch by the strong face pattern. The best characters to separate this bird from a female Cassin's Finch are the overall greenish color (identifies these two as the western subspecies), rounded culmen and blurry breast streaking. Also note the pale arc under the eye and lack of an eyering.

12 December 2018, photo by Paul Suchanek

12 December 2018, photo by Brian Nicholas

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