Introduction
The purple finch (Carpodacus purpureus) is a common to uncommon breeder in BCR 14. It is more common in the northern portion. It prefers coniferous forest edges and uses mixed coniferous-deciduous forests also. It is listed as a Species of Greatest Conservation Need in one or more states in BCR 14.
Habitat Needs
This bird prefers moist and cool coniferous forest edges, open mixed woodlands and Christmas tree plantations. It also uses openings around bogs, riparian edges and pastures with coniferous clumps in them. It usually nests on the horizontal branch of a conifer, primarily spruce.
Its territory size is unknown, however nesting pair densities range from eight to 19 pairs per 100 acres across its breeding range.
Habitat Management Practices
Provide edge habitat in coniferous forest, primarily spruce and fir.
When assessing properties for habitat potential look for strong spruce-fir-producing soils such as Bemis, Brayton, Kinsman, Lyme, Pillsbury, Ridgebury, Squamscot or Walpole among several others.
Sources
SPRUCE-FIR
- Use uneven-age management. Group selection with groups ranging from 1/10 to 2 acres.
- Use a 90-year rotation age with entries every 15 years.
- Let 10 percent of the area of this type age to 120 years before rotating.
- Avoid entry during nesting season—April to June.
- Whole-tree harvest or cut-to-length is preferred.