Where Do Purple Finches Live? (Habitat, Range + Distribution)

purple finch (Purple blood nematode) are fairly common in northern North America. They primarily prefer conifer and mixed conifer habitats, but are no strangers to human settlements.

Depending on where you live, this bird may be a regular presence in your backyard feeder during the breeding season or during the winter. So let’s get started, where does the purple finch live?

Purple finch breeds widely in Canada and much of the northern United States. They also occur east of the Pacific coast as far as the Cascades and Sierra Nevadas.

These songbirds expand their range across the United States during the winter. However, purple finch is extremely rare in the Rocky Mountain region no matter the time of year.

We discuss the purple finch’s range and habitat in more detail throughout this article. Read on to discover more!

The purple finch breeds widely in Canada and much of the northern United States

What is the distribution range of the purple finch?

The purple finch is widely distributed throughout Canada during the breeding season, from southeastern Yukon to south-central Quebec and Newfoundland. The birds also extend south into the northeastern United States and along the Appalachian Mountains into eastern West Virginia.

There are no purple finch populations in most of the central United States (Rocky Mountain states). However, they are found along the entire Pacific coast of Washington and Oregon, extending inland to the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains. They also occur along the California coast up to the western slopes of the Sierras.

The purple finch’s range changes during winter. The population migrated out of Canada and into the southern half of the United States. They cover much of the Midwest and Southeast between August and May.

Male purple finch on a fence post in the snow in Marion County, Illinois

Where does the purple finch live in the United States?

Within the United States, purple finch occurs year-round in the Northeast, the southern Appalachians (to eastern West Virginia), and the northern tip of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.

Year-round populations also occur in the Pacific Northwest and California. The purple finch in these states extends from the coastal regions of Washington and Oregon to the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains, and south through coastal California to the western slopes of the Sierra Nevadas.

The purple finch’s distribution in the United States expands during the winter, as many purple finch migrate to warmer regions. The bird’s winter range includes the Midwest and Southeast. Observers have occasionally reported scattered individuals in Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, and Anchorage, Alaska.

Closeup of a female purple finch perched on a branch

In which states do purple finch live?

Purple finch is a permanent resident of states in the Northeast, including Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut. Populations also extend south into New York, Pennsylvania, and the Appalachian regions of Maryland, West Virginia, and Virginia (in Highlands counties only).

Moving west, the purple finch is found in the northeast corner of Ohio and the northern half of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. Before you get to the Pacific coast, their range occurs between the Rocky Mountain states—they appear in Washington, Oregon, and California.

During the winter, purple finch expands into the Midwest and Southeast of the United States. Wintering grounds include the east coast from Delaware to Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and North Florida. They can also occur in Appalachia and the Southeast – Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana and eastern Texas.

Additionally, the population resides in the Midwest, including Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri. The range ends in North Dakota, South Dakota, eastern Nebraska, Kansas, and Oklahoma. There are occasional winter migrations in southern Arizona.

Purple Finch is a permanent resident of the Northeastern states

Where does the purple finch live in Canada?

Purple finch is widely distributed throughout Canada, especially during nesting season. These birds breed from southeastern and northwestern Yukon Territory to British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, south-central Quebec, and Newfoundland.

What is the purple finch’s habitat?

Purple finch primarily prefers moist or cool coniferous forest habitats. However, they also occur in mixed coniferous or deciduous forests, riparian corridors and swamp edges. Purple finch is no stranger to well-developed areas, including pastures, backyards, orchards, gardens, and hedges.

purple finch in flight

How rare is it to see a purple finch?

The purple finch is a common songbird in Canada, the northeastern United States, and the Pacific coast. However, it is rare in the Rocky Mountain states. There have been sporadic sightings in Colorado, Wyoming and Montana.

Where is the best place to see purple finch?

The best place to see purple finch during breeding season is in the cool, moist coniferous or mixed coniferous forest habitat they prefer. They are especially abundant in Canada, the northern United States and the Pacific coast at this time of year.

Purple finch inhabits a wider variety of habitats during the winter, including backyards, hedges, and pastures. The songbird is also more widely distributed in the United States during the colder months.

While overwintering anywhere in the Midwest, Appalachia, or the Southeast, you’re likely to spot purple finch.

The forest is one of the best places to spot purple finch

When is the purple sparrow coming out?

Purple finch is active during the day. They typically spend their waking hours in the canopy, foraging for seeds, buds, flowers, and nectar.

Will purple finch stay in one place?

The purple finch is a partially migratory species. Populations in the northeastern United States, southeastern Canada, and the Pacific Rim are primarily year-round residents. However, finches that breed farther north in Canada tend to retreat from these colder northern regions to the eastern United States.

Purple finch eating seeds from backyard bird feeder

Where does the purple sparrow live in winter?

During the winter, purple finches migrate from their summer breeding grounds in northern Canada to warmer regions further south and along the Pacific coast. However, they didn’t leave Canada entirely. These birds typically live year-round in southern Ontario, Quebec and Newfoundland.

Purple finch winters in the U.S. throughout the East—from Maine to the Midwest and Southeast. They are also found west of the Cascades and Sierra Nevadas in Washington, Oregon, and California.

Autumn migration to wintering grounds usually occurs between August and December. Juvenile purple finches fly south before adults.

Purple finch perched on a branch in the snow

Where does the purple finch live in the summer?

During the summer or breeding season, the purple finch inhabits the entirety of its Canadian range, which covers at least part of every territory except Nunavut. These birds also breed in the northeastern United States and on the west coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California.

Spring migration usually occurs between February and May. Males arrive at the breeding grounds before females.

Do purple finch live in groups?

During the breeding season, purple finches are usually only with their mates. However, they are gregarious in winter, usually in groups of 2 to 200+.

Larger flocks often contain other species, such as the American Goldfinch or Pine Finch. These groups will roost and forage together throughout the winter.