Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2026-103
| Common name: |
Purple Finch |
| Scientific name: | Haemorhous purpureus |
| Date: | 11/7/2026 |
| Time: | 2:56 PM |
| Length of time observed: | 5 minutes |
| Number: | 3 |
| Age: | One adult male, others undetermined |
| Sex: | One adult male, others undetermined |
| Location: | Springdale Pond, Springdale Utah |
| County: | Utah [Washington Co.] |
| Latilong: | 37.183057,-113.0006933 |
| Elevation: | 3,852 ft |
| Distance to bird: | 20 feet at the closest maybe? |
| Optical equipment: | Binoculars, camera |
| Weather: | Clear, not significant wind |
| Light Conditions: | Sunny weather, but in a somewhat shadey area |
| Description: Size of bird: | Small |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | Shape: finchy? |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | Male largely red, female/juveniles brown and white |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | Large triangular bill, slightly rounded |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
All birds lack a noticable eye ring and appeared to have more rounded
bills although some were eating berries so that obscured things. The
female/juveniles had thick smudgy striping on the breast and white
stripes above and below the eye giving the appearance of a dark mask.
The male lacked streaking on the sides and had color extend from the
breast down to the belly. The male did not have much contrast between
the crown and the rest of the red on it's face and breast (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | Did not vocalize |
| Behavior: | Eating berries, perching |
| Habitat: | In trees and in a thicket next to a small manmade pond. |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
House finch: Face striping on the female/juveniles and lack of streaking
on the sides of the male should eliminate house finch. Cassin's finch: The birds did not have noticable eye rings and the bill shape seemed shorter/more rounded than what would be expected for cassin's finch. The streaking on the female/juveniles was thick and smudgy. The red on the male was fairly consistent, not giving the appearance of a brighter crown. The coloration on the male also extended lower on the breast/belly than would be expected on a cassin's. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
I've seen plenty of house finches and occasional cassin's finches. I have not seen purple finches before. I was birding with my dad who lives in pennsylvania and sees purple finches once in a while |
| References consulted: | Ebird photos, descriptions online, a youtube video or two about finch identification |
| Description from: | From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Tim Predmore |
| Observer's address: | Temple St C503 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | There was an ebird report from the previous day by Joseph Roth |
| Date prepared: | 11/11/2026 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional comments: |
Photos at:
https://ebird.org/checklist/S408802262 I can provide the ones I didn't put up on ebird if requested |