Purple Finch (Eastern) (Haemorhous purpureus purpureus), Meteor Crater RV Park, Coconino County

This Eastern Purple Finch was photographed by Jason Wilder on 24 October 2020.

This is the third observation of Purple Finch in Coconino County in Fall 2020. Prior to this year the only documented records included two from the South Rim in 1934 and one in Supai in 1950. There were a handful of records not accepted by the ABC early in the 2000s. Thus, this species is rare, poorly documented and likely overlooked in Coconino County. A Purple Finch female/immature was also observed at this location on 8 October 2020 (photos submitted to AZFO/ABC), but this appears to be a different individual based on the pattern of streaking on the breast and flanks.

This bird is distinguished from Cassin's Finch by its curved culmen, lack of eyering, smudgy streaking on the flanks and breast, and lack of fine streaking on the undertail coverts. Compared to House Finch, this bird has a notched tail, domed head, and boldly marked face pattern. Our best guess is that this is an Eastern Purple Finch based on the bright white ground color to the breast and flanks (not dusky like Pacific), crisp and short streaks on the flanks and breast with a "fox-sparrow"-like shape, pure white undertail coverts and brownish tones to upperside of bird. Additional photos and recorded vocalizations can be found here: https://ebird.org/checklist/S75294662. This report will be evaluated by the ABC.

24 October 2020, photo by Jason Wilder