Purple Finch Carpodacus purpureus Gmelin       Field Guide IDs: NG-448; G-316; P-270; PW-pl 55; AE-pl 409; AW-pl 461; AM(III)-328 Nest Location Nest Type Eggs & Mating System Dev. & Parental Care Primary & 2ndary Diet.. Foraging Strategy F I: 13 DAYS ALTRICIAL DECIDUOUS TREE 6 feet - 40 feet MF 4-5 (3-6) MONOG F:14 DAYS MF INSECTS FRUIT FOLIAGE GLEAN BREEDING: Open conif and mixed conif-decid forest, forest edge, open woodland. 1 brood in e, 2 in w. DISPLAYS: Courting male hops about dangling wings and puffing out chest. With wings vibrating rapidly and tail cocked, male softly vocalizes and may rise 6-12" off the ground, occ while holding nest material in beak and singing. NEST: Usu in conif tree in e, on horizontal branch, far from trunk. Neat shallow cup of twigs, fine roots, grass, lined with rootlets, hair, moss. EGGS: Pale greenish-blue, marked with browns, blacks. 0.8" (20 mm). DIET: Primarily seeds; some tree buds and blossoms from winter to early spring. Adds insects in spring, feeds heavily on fruit in summer. Young fed mostly seeds. CONSERVATION: Winters within N.A.; erratic in distribution. Uncommon cowbird host. Competition with House Sparrow suggested cause of decrease in New England breeding range, esp in urban and suburban areas; competition with House Finch important in disappearance from e areas where ranges now overlap. NOTES: Occ forms postbreeding unisexual flocks of 20-30. Remains somewhat gregarious during winter and may flock with siskins and goldfinches; w populations migrate altitudinally. STANFORD. NOTES: Uncommon and irregular migrant and winter resident in various habitats throughout campus. Occasionally seen at feeders or foraging on fruits and seeds in the Arboretum.....Similar Species: House Finch ESSAYS: How Long Do Birds Live?; Irruptions; Masterbuilders; Bird Communities and Competition; Avian Invaders REFERENCES: Popp, 1987; Wootton, 1987.