33. Purple Finch

Purple Finches show up through out the year at Leaning Oaks, but in the winter months usually in only in small numbers and not regularly.  Starting in March they become regular visitors to the feeders and males set up territories in the neighbourhood. As shown here, they also enjoy drinking and bathing in the pond.  The best part of having them around  is their lovely rich warbly song. Listen here to it:
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/purple_finch/sounds, although that isn't the only sounds they make. Once call is confusingly similar to the call of the Cassin's Finch and begging young have a call that sounds very similar to the upslurred and oft-repeated "weeep" of the Hutton's Vireo. 
The amount of red that a male Purple Finch sports is based on the availability of carotinoids in their diet and is thought to be indicative of  their vitality as a mate.