Finches
Birds in the Fringillidae family are characterized by their 12 tail feathers and strong, cone-shaped beaks. This family is very diverse and have beaks ranging from large to small, have broad color variation, and range in size from large to small. There are around 177 species in this family found all over the world with the majority being found in the Northern Hemisphere.
Included below are the American Goldfinch and the Purple Finch.
American Goldfinch
Spinus tristis
“Plate 33.” John James Audubon (1785-1851). Birds of America. Credit: National Audubon Society.
Habitat: Patches of thistles and weeds, roadsides, open woods, edges.
Preferred Food: Mostly seeds, some insects. Also eats buds, bark of young twigs, maple sap.
Fun Fact: Unlike many birds, the American Goldfinch undergoes a complete molt each spring. This molt requires a large amount of nutrients and energy which probably diminishes their ability to nest earlier in the season.
American Goldfinch Range Map
Purple Finch
Haemorhous purpureus
“Plate 4.” John James Audubon (1785-1851). Birds of America. Credit: National Audubon Society.
Habitat: Woods, groves, suburbs.
Preferred Food: Seeds, buds, berries, insects. Young may be fed mostly on seeds.
Fun Fact: During the winter Purple Finch will often forage and roost with mixed flocks of Pine Siskin and American Goldfinch. In these flocks they are socially dominant over the goldfinch and subordinate to the siskin.
