The difference between a Purple Finch and a Cassin’s Finch lies primarily in their facial patterns and coloration. While both species belong to the finch family, they can be easily distinguished by their appearance.
Starting with the Purple Finch, this bird possesses a distinctive facial pattern that sets it apart. It has a strong, bold facial pattern, with a reddish crown and a reddish-brown face. The reddish coloration extends downward from the face to the upper breast, creating a vibrant and eye-catching display. The sides of the neck and upper breast are rosy-pink, gradually fading into finely streaked sides.
In contrast, Cassin’s Finches lack the strong facial pattern of their Purple Finch counterparts. Instead, they have a more subtle and understated appearance. At close range, a narrow, whitish eye ring may be visible, adding a touch of brightness to their face. The throat, sides of the neck, and upper breast of Cassin’s Finches are rosy-pink like the Purple Finch, but the color can vary slightly between individuals. The transition from the pinkish coloration to the finely streaked sides is also similar to that of the Purple Finch.
Moving beyond the facial patterns, the coloration of the wings and back is another distinguishing feature. Purple Finches have dark brown wings and back, which provide a striking contrast to their reddish face and breast. On the other hand, the wings and back of Cassin’s Finches are also dark brown but tend to fade into a more pinkish rump, harmonizing with the overall color scheme of the bird.
To summarize, the main differences between Purple Finches and Cassin’s Finches lie in their facial patterns and coloration. Purple Finches have a strong facial pattern with a reddish crown and face, while Cassin’s Finches have a more subtle appearance with a narrow, whitish eye ring. Additionally, the wings and back of Purple Finches are dark brown, contrasting with their reddish face, while Cassin’s Finches show a more gradual transition from dark brown to a pinkish rump.
I hope this detailed description helps clarify the distinctions between these two finch species.