|
|
Although they are boldly coloured, the Purple Finch is a rarely seen bird in the Algonquin Highlands, often remaining very still in a tree branch, even while singing. Males are rosy-red from the head, fading down to the breast and flanks, brightest at the crown and rump. They are off-white below, and streaked with brown, with brown wings, and a brown, notched tail. Females are prominently brown, with a large light stripe behind the eye, a dark stripe on the jaw, and are heavily streaked on the breast. This colour difference is also seen in immature males. Males do not develop their red colouration until later.
Males produce long, beautiful courting songs, much like that of a canary. They prefer coniferous and mixed woodlands, especially evergreens for nesting. Nests are created from grasses and twigs, usually lined with hair. The Purple Finch lays 4 to 5 blue-green eggs that are spotted at the larger end with dark brown.
|
|
|
|
 |
PURPLE FINCH
Carpodacus purpureus
|
