Watercolor portrait of Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus)

What does the Purple Finch song sound like?

Haemorhous purpureus
Song Fairly common

Play the real Purple Finch song, the "rich warble", and learn what to listen for.

“rich warble”

What the Purple Finch song sounds like

A rich, flowing warble composed of a mix of whistles and warbling notes. The song is often a few seconds long and can include imitations of other bird species woven into it. It's similar to a House Finch's song but generally more fluid, longer, and with a sweet tonal quality (less scratchy). Males usually sing from high perches in trees. Females can also sing a shorter, softer warble, sometimes while on the nest.

“rich warble”

Birders often file this one under Warbling song.

How to find the bird singing it

Breeds in coniferous and mixed forests of the northern U.S. and Canada, including spruce-fir forests and sometimes deciduous woods. Also found in montane forests in the West. Outside of breeding season, they occur in woodlands, groves, suburban areas, and at feeders. In winter, often found in semi-open areas with trees, like forest edges, orchards, and backyards (especially those with evergreens). They favor areas with seeds and berries and are often near conifer stands even in winter.

  • Raspberry wash: Male: overall rose-red or raspberry wash over head, chest, and back, with redness extending onto the wings and flanks (appearing "dipped in raspberry"). Underparts light with indistinct streaking on sides. Tail is notched. Female: coarsely streaked with brown on white; strong facial pattern with a bold whitish eyebrow and dark ear stripe, giving a slightly "eyebrowed" look. Both sexes have a heavy, pale conical bill and lack the streaky flanks of House Finches (male House Finches have streaked flanks, Purple Finch males do not). In direct comparison, Purple Finches appear more robust with a more extensively colored (in males) or strongly patterned (in females) appearance.

When you'll hear it

Summer

Breeds in Canada (from Newfoundland to British Columbia) and the northern United States (New England, Great Lakes, Northern Rockies, Pacific Northwest). Also in higher elevations of Appalachians and West Coast mountains. Found in coniferous and mixed forests during breeding season.

Winter

Many move into the Eastern US (as far south as the Gulf Coast in some years) for winter, as well as the Midwest and Great Plains. In the West, they descend from mountains to lower elevations and can be found in California's lowlands and across the Southwest intermittently. Winters across much of the US except the far northernmost areas, depending on food availability. Often seen at feeders in winter months.

Year-round

Resident year-round along the Pacific Coast (Washington, Oregon, Northern California) and parts of the Northeast (some individuals in New England and southern Canada stay if food allows). These resident populations may still make short movements seasonally (e.g., between higher and lower elevations) but generally do not undertake long migrations.

Don’t confuse it with

Birds whose song gets mistaken for this one. Play them back to back.

House Finch

Male House Finches are more orange-red (or sometimes purplish) concentrated on the head and breast, with brown streaked flanks and belly.

Purple Finch song FAQ

What does a Purple Finch song sound like?
A rich, flowing warble composed of a mix of whistles and warbling notes. The song is often a few seconds long and can include imitations of other bird species woven into it. It's similar to a House Finch's song but generally more fluid, longer, and with a sweet tonal quality (less scratchy). Males usually sing from high perches in trees. Females can also sing a shorter, softer warble, sometimes while on the nest. Birders write it as "rich warble".
How do I tell a Purple Finch from a House Finch by ear?
House Finch: Male House Finches are more orange-red (or sometimes purplish) concentrated on the head and breast, with brown streaked flanks and belly.; They lack the overall raspberry wash of the Purple Finch male..
When is the best time to hear the Purple Finch song?
On breeding grounds in spring, males sing their rich warbling songs from high perches. Nesting occurs from late spring into summer; they often nest on horizontal branches of conifers or thick shrubs. By late summer, they form flocks and may begin moving. In autumn and winter, they often appear in small flocks at feeding stations or roaming through forests searching for cone crops. Their presence in winter can vary year to year: some winters they are common at feeders in the mid-Atlantic states, for instance, and other years scarce (depending on the abundance of northern food supply). Come spring (March-April), flocks return north or to higher elevations, and pairs form for breeding. They can raise multiple broods in favorable conditions.

More Purple Finch sounds

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