Purple Finch Nesting (All You Need To Know)

A brightly colored songbird and increasingly rare garden visitor, the purple finch (Purple blood nematode) is more of a subtle rose shade than the vibrant purple its name suggests. Its populations are found throughout the western and eastern United States, where it lives and breeds in a variety of geographic environments. Location and natural habitat are important factors in purple finch’s choice of nesting site, which we examine below, along with the fascinating division of roles throughout the nesting process, from initial courtship to chick departure.

Purple finch usually nests in coniferous forests, on horizontal branches or in the forks of trees such as Douglas fir, spruce or Austrian pine. Nests can also be found in deciduous forests, elaborately crafted from twigs and branches and lined with moss.

During courtship, male purple finches attract mates by placing twigs or other nesting material in their beaks. However, when the situation arises and a nest is required, it’s up to the female to orchestrate the whole process. The female purple finch has the final say on where she wants to raise her offspring and takes the lead during the material gathering and actual nest building phases.

The lion’s share of incubation tasks is also performed by the female, and the male supports her by bringing her seeds. After the eggs hatch, the male and female work together to feed the chicks and tend them until they are ready to leave the nest after two weeks.

Read on to learn more about the different roles male and female purple finch play in the nesting process.

A breeding pair of Purple Finch perched on a branch

Where do purple finch nest?

Tall trees in coniferous forests are popular nesting grounds for purple finch, with fir, pine, and spruce being common choices, especially in the eastern United States. Mixed woodland locations are also used, especially in the western states where oaks, maples and fruit trees are preferred. Nests are often built on horizontal branches and occasionally on tree branches.

Nesting sites are usually 4.5-6 m (15-20 ft) above the ground, but can be as high as 18 m (60 ft). It’s also not unheard of to choose a much lower site, among low bushes or under tangled vine cover.

The nesting site is chosen by the female, who then collects materials, brings them to the site of her choice, and builds the nest on her own. Males have been observed to accompany females as they gather branches and may contribute items, but it is primarily the females who are responsible for the building work.

Purple finch at bird feeder

What does purple Nestle look like?

The female finch roughly weaves a circular nest out of twigs, twigs, roots, and plant fibers that she collects and brings to the nest site. The inner cup is lined with moss, animal fur, and fine vegetation. The nest size is relatively small, only about 17 cm (6 inches) in diameter.

Purple finch’s nest with newly hatched chicks

What time of year do purple finch nest?

Purple finch’s first brood of the year can begin laying eggs in April and continue through August. Once the first purple finch of the year has emerged, some purple finch, especially in the Pacific Rim, may make a second batch later in the summer.

How long do purple finch nest?

Eggs are laid within one to five days after nesting is complete. After spawning, the incubation period usually lasts 12 to 13 days. During this time, the female incubates the eggs, rarely leaving the nest, and the male brings in the regurgitated seeds to eat.

After the chicks hatch, both parents actively participate in finding food and feeding the offspring. Purple finch larvae remain in the nest for about 14 days before emerging.

female purple finch drinking

How Do Purple Finch Build Nests?

Purple finches usually start collecting nesting material in pairs, although by far the females have done most of the work, with the males contributing only a few twigs, if any. It takes three to eight days to complete the nest, a task the females do alone.

The nest material is then woven together to form a circular nest with a cup-shaped interior lined with soft moss, animal hair, and fine plant fibers.

When does the little purple finch leave the nest?

After about 14 days, purple finch chicks are ready to grow their wings. Although at this stage they are feathered and able to fly, they remain close to the nest for the first week.

perching male purple finch

How many litters does a purple finch have?

Purple finch produces one to two litters per year. Each clutch contains an average of 3 to 6 eggs. Pairs may return to the nest that raised their first pups that year for a second spawning.

Do purple finch nest in the same place every year?

Typically, a new site is chosen and a new nest is built each year. However, the finches may revisit the nest they used earlier in the same year to raise their second nest.

Purple Finch on a tree in winter, Algonquin Park, Ontario, Canada

What do purple finch eggs look like?

Purple finch eggs are light blue-green in color with some dark markings. Their average length is 20 mm (0.8 in).

Nest with four purple finch eggs

What month does the purple finch lay eggs?

The purple finch’s breeding season lasts from April to August, with a maximum of two broods per year.

Do purple finch use nest boxes?

While it is definitely most common for purple finches to choose their own nesting sites and build their own natural nests, pairs of birds have occasionally been observed laying eggs in artificial nest boxes. Other unusual objects used by purple finch for nesting include airplanes and rock crushers.

close up of a purple finch

Where do purple finch nest at night?

During the breeding season, the female purple finch stays in the nest overnight while the eggs are incubating or the chicks are being warmed. At all other times of the year, purple finch, like other songbirds, will seek sheltered branches or tree hollows for nighttime roost.

Do Purple Finch Nest in the Backyard?

It’s not uncommon for purple finches to choose nests close to human habitation, and smaller backyard shrubs and sheltered, tangled vines may be ideal nesting sites.