Outside of the dry areas close to the Mexican border, purple finches thrive throughout California.
These birds were probably named before the color ‘hot pink’ was invented, because the males are closer to that than purple.
The rest of the male is a dark brown with white streaks throughout, blending into whites, grays, and purples on the stomach.
Females are even browns with hite stomachs and white specks throughout. Like most of the state’s finches, these are backyard ‘pets’ who like to gather near bird feeders, baths, and in the sporadic groups of trees in residential neighborhoods.
Purple finches follow the conifers and their seeds, so these are ideal bait ideas to lure them, as well as a clue where they can be spotted.
They typically overwinter in sunny California, like many small songbirds, though they may migrate from the north to central part of the state.