Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus purpureus), Near Taylor, Navajo County

This Eastern Purple Finch was found and  photographed by John Wilson on 13 April 2020

The western subspecies of Purple Finch, californicus, is casual to rare and irruptive fall and winter visitor and was removed from the ABC review list in 2019. There is one prior known record of Eastern Purple Finch, 6 January 1956 near Tucson.

See this link for more information on Purple Finch subspecies in the west.

Eastern Purple Finches are similar to both Western Purple Finches and Cassin's Finch. Bill shape is hard to see on this bird but things that suggest Purple Finch over Cassin's include the white undertail coverts, the stronger/darker auricular patch and malar, lack of a complete white eye ring. blurry underpart streaking, and less distinct back streaking. The lack of greenish tones and the whiter underparts rule out western Purple Finch.

13 April 2020, photo by John Wilson

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