As we spread out into many rural areas this spring, we will undoubtedly hear the beautiful, bubbly song of the Purple Finch. In the early spring before breeding season begins Purple Finches will sing as a group.

The House Finch is one of the most abundant birds in North America and it has shown a remarkable adaptability to a variety of habitats

The genus name Coccothraustes (cock-oh-THROUSE-teez) is Latin from the Greek kokkos, grain, and thrauein, to shatter. The species name vespertinus (ves-per-TINE-us) is Latin meaning “belonging to evening” from the mistaken belief that this bird sang mainly in the evening.

The Common Redpoll visits Washington in some winters in flocks ranging in size from a dozen to hundreds of birds. Because its arrival is unpredictable, it is known as one of the irruptive species of northern birds, which, depending on weather conditions and the availability of food sources, will migrate farther south in some winters