Q: We live in Adams and are new at this: We have had bird feeders for two years now and have learned to name most of the birds that come. But we have two with red on them that kind of look different. A friend says they could be purple finches and house finches. How can I tell which is which?
â New bird watchers, Adams
A: The older I get, the harder it sometimes is for me to distinguish between some birds that look alike. Inexperienced birders, or birders in general, except those most active in the field or feeder watching, have difficulty to distinguish between the house and purple finches until you see them both together, side by side.