Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2026-96
| Common name: |
Purple Finch |
| Scientific name: | Haemorhous purpureus |
| Date: | 10/24/2026 |
| Time: | 9:12 AM |
| Length of time observed: | 1 minute |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | likely adult |
| Sex: | Female (or immature male) |
| Location: | Tonaquint Nature Center, St. George, Utah |
| County: | Washington |
| Latilong: | 19 |
| Elevation: | approx 2600 ft |
| Distance to bird: | approx 20 ft |
| Optical equipment: | Celestron 8x42 binoculars, Canon R5 camera, Canon 100-500mm lens |
| Weather: | Clear, 50s, little wind |
| Light Conditions: | Clear and sunny |
| Description: Size of bird: | 5-6" |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | Typical finch shape |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | Brown back, light front with dark brown streaking, dark brown head with light lines |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | Conical finch bill |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
The bird presented at first as an expected House
Finch, and there were other House Finches in the vicinity. I then
noticed that this bird was significantly more darkly-streaked than a
typical House Finch. I then noted the facial pattern on this bird -
overall dark head with a highly-contrasting white eyebrow extending the
length of the head and another behind the mouth at the bottom of the
face. (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | I did not pick out sounds made by this specific bird. There were lots of other vocal birds around at the same time. |
| Behavior: | Foraging in the tops of small trees. It seemed to be associating loosely with nearby House Finches and White-crowned Sparrows. |
| Habitat: | City park with mature trees and riparian area near river |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
House Finch - eliminated due to dark streaking and bold facial pattern. Cassin's Finch - eliminated due to dark streaking, bold facial pattern, and slightly curved culmen. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
I have observed Purple Finches a few times in Texas and California. I have extensive experience observing House Finches up close in my yard for years. I have observed Cassin's Finches in the mountains of Utah. |
| References consulted: | Sibley Birds, Merlin Bird ID |
| Description from: |
From memory From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Jenner Bryson |
| Observer's address: | Sycamore Ln |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | None. There were other birders present but we were unable to relocate the bird. |
| Date prepared: | 10/30/2026 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional comments: | Photos will be provided via email. |