Glossary    Species    Home

Purple Finch Carpodacus purpureus

Flight call description A short, low, ringing "teep" (or "tek"). Also gives a variable, sweet, whistled "wai-yu" (or "wai-e-yu").

 

Fig.1. New York May 31, 1989 (WRE).

"Teep" call from bird in flight.

 

 

Fig.2. New Jersey October 29, 2001 (MO).

"Wai-yu" call from perched bird.

 

Examples

Diurnal calling sequences:

1. May 31, 1989 New York (WRE). Bird in flight.

2. May 31, 1989 New York (WRE). Bird in flight.

3. March 10, 1989 Illinois (WRE). Perched bird with Blue Jay, Tufted Titmouse, and American Goldfinch calls, and Northern Cardinal song in the background.

4. New Jersey October 29, 2001 (MO). "Wai-yu" and "teep" calls from perched bird.

 

Similar species "Teep" call distinctive. "Wai-yu" call is similar to Pine Grosbeak's "whit-whu-wheet" but is softer and not as shrill.

 

Behavior Thought to be primarily a diurnal migrant but begins its movement well before sunrise. Gives flight calls regularly while perched and in flight during the day. Not known to give flight calls at night but does call in the hour before sunrise.