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June 27, 2009

Critter of the Month - the purple finch

By DENNIS APRILL, Outdoor Perspective

I have had some purple finches snacking at my bird feeders since early spring.

Though the males are colorful, purple may be an exaggeration for this lavender-pink colored finch that inhabits the coniferous and mixed forests of northern New York. Only the males are colorful; the females are drab brown and tan, providing camouflage while nesting.

Sunflower seeds — black preferred — and thistle seeds are favorite foods, and purple finches seem to coexist at the feeder with the more brightly colored goldfinches that also love the seeds. Their song, according to bird field guides, is a distinctive tick as it flies, but I don't think I've ever actually heard it. During mating season, however, according to one guidebook it is a bubbly, continuous warble.

In the wild, purple finches eat seeds, buds, berries and insects, and with this rainy spring and summer so far, it appears to be a banner year for the latter two, so the finches must be doing well.

After the spring breeding, the females build cup-shaped nests of twigs and grass. The young are born a couple of weeks later.

Here are some more interesting facts about purple finches from Cornell Lab of Ornithology:

â The purple finch uses its large beak to crush seeds and extract nuts; these birds are considered predators because they eat the entire seed.

â When warbling, purple finches sometimes mimic the sounds of barn swallows, goldfinches and cowbirds.

Though purple finches are of no economic or sporting value, they are nice to have around and add a little more color to what is already a very colorful time of year.

Wildlife Photo
Gallery Update

Because of the great number of photos I have received, it is not always possible to get back to everyone. Unless a photo just won't go for one reason or another (and I will notify you), assume your photo will eventually get in, but be patient. As of now, we are doing an expanded version of the gallery and will continue to do so as the photo supply warrants. Once again, my thanks to you for your support. Your photos certainly exemplify the variety of wildlife found in the North Country.

E-mail Dennis Aprill at:daprill2000@yahoo.com and check out our Web site www.pressrepublican.com/0105_outdoor_perspective for more photos and past articles.

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