Purple Finch

Another of the "irruptive" finches that are visiting this winter. The others being Pine Siskins - which I have quite a number of - and Evening Grosbeaks - which I have seen none of thus far. This is a male. His mate has no purple on her. They are easily confused with House Finches, but I believe the dark line on his face that goes through his eye is a pretty good diagnostic mark. The female Purple Finches are much easier for me to recognize confidently and distinguish from the female House Finches. He says to pardon the messy beak. He was busy stuffing his face when I asked him to pose. The light is also weird - it was pretty early this morning and the feeder was in shade.