Bird field guide · Finches, Euphonias, and Allies

Photographing the Purple Finch

How to photograph the Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus): the right lens for its size, shutter speeds for perched and moving animals, and when it's most often seen (April and May).

11–20 cm1/2500–1/3200 s
11–20 cm
Typical length (family range)
1/800 s
Shutter: perched / still
1/2500–1/3200 s
Shutter: action / flight
f/5.6–f/7.1
Aperture
36,592
Research-grade sightings in N. America
ModeManual + Auto ISOLock shutter & aperture, let ISO float
Shutter (still)1/800 s
Shutter (action)1/2500–1/3200 s
Aperturef/5.6–f/7.1
FocusAF-C + subject/eye detectionBird-eye AF with continuous focus (AF-C/AI Servo); fill at least a third of the frame.
DriveHigh-speed burst
Lens400–600 mmFull-frame equivalent

Focal length needed to frame it#

For a subject about 16 cm long filling a third or half of the frame width horizontally. Small birds demand long lenses and a close approach — a blind or feeder setup helps.

Distance⅓ of frame (FF)½ of frame (FF)⅓ of frame (APS-C)⅓ of frame (MFT)
5 m (16 ft)356 mm520 mm237 mm178 mm
10 m (33 ft)712 mm1,040 mm475 mm356 mm
15 m (49 ft)1,068 mm1,561 mm712 mm534 mm
20 m (66 ft)1,424 mm2,081 mm949 mm712 mm
30 m (98 ft)2,136 mm3,121 mm1,424 mm1,068 mm
50 m (164 ft)3,559 mm5,202 mm2,373 mm1,780 mm

When to find it#

Jan: 10% Jan Feb: 9% Feb Mar: 8% Mar Apr: 18% Apr May: 14% May Jun: 8% Jun Jul: 6% Jul Aug: 4% Aug Sep: 4% Sep Oct: 7% Oct Nov: 6% Nov Dec: 7% Dec
Share of iNaturalist observations by month across North America. Peak months: April and May.

About the Purple Finch#

The purple finch (Haemorhous purpureus) is a bird in the finch family, Fringillidae.

Summary adapted from Wikipedia via iNaturalist (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Field-craft tips#

  • Thistle and sunflower feeders attract goldfinches and siskins.
  • Bird-eye AF with continuous focus (AF-C/AI Servo); fill at least a third of the frame.
  • Sightings peak in April and May, which is when you'll have the most chances.

Ethics#

  • The welfare of the animal comes first: if it changes its behaviour because of you, you are too close.
  • Stay on trails, respect closures around nests, leks, dens and haul-outs.
  • Avoid playback and baiting in sensitive seasons; never bait predators.
  • Don't share precise locations of rare, nesting or roosting animals publicly.

More Finches, Euphonias, and Allies#

House Finch House FinchHaemorhous mexicanus American Goldfinch American GoldfinchSpinus tristis Lesser GoldfinchSpinus psaltria Pine Siskin Pine SiskinSpinus pinus Evening Grosbeak Evening GrosbeakHesperiphona vespertina Redpoll RedpollAcanthis flammea Red Crossbill Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostra Pine GrosbeakPinicola enucleator

Frequently asked questions#

What lens do I need to photograph a Purple Finch?

At about 16 cm long, a purple finch fills a third of a full-frame image at 10 m with roughly 712 mm, or at 20 m with 1,424 mm.

What shutter speed should I use for a Purple Finch?

1/800 s when it's still; 1/2500–1/3200 s for action.

When is the best time to photograph a Purple Finch?

Observations in North America peak in April and May. Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and activity.

Sources & licences#

Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources