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Our feeder is getting plenty of bird visitors. In addition to the usual suspects - titmice, chickadees, woodpeckers, cardinals, nuthatches, sparrow, and finches - we are happy to announce that two male rose-breasted grosbeaks have arrived the other day. One species baffled me lately, however. Were they common redpolls, very colorful house finches, or purple finches? I could never be sure when I spotted them through the binoculars. When I recently photographed Mr. and Mrs. Finch at our feeder we decided that they were indeed purple finches. The difference between house finches (introduced from the western U.S.) and purple finches is subtle and the best way to determine it is by looking at the tail. The purple finch's tail is split. Perhaps we have had purple finches before and just didn't know it. Such are the thrills of backyard birding. You never know who will come to your feeder next.
