In this article I’ll be going over 5 purple birds that can be found all throughout the state of West Virginia so continue reading for a more detailed breakdown of each bird below.

• Purple Martin 
• Purple Finch 
• European Starling 
• Common Grackle 
• Brown Headed Cowbird

5 Purple Birds In West Virginia

1. Purple Martin (Progne Subis)

• Size: 19 – 20cm
• Weight: 45 – 60 grams
• Wingspan: 39 – 41cm

You’ll find purple martins within West Virginia all throughout their spring and summer breeding season. 

Purple Martins are recognised by their almost entirely purple plumage with the wings and lower half of their body purple, and the remainder a darker blue color. Females on the hand are mostly white and gray with hints of blue on their plumage.

As for where these birds live, it tends to be around open locations that are at least 40 ft. from trees or buildings so, you’ll often see them perching on utility wires and houses throughout the local Texan neighborhood. 

Purple Martins tend to eat mostly flying insects like house flies, crane flies, beetles, moths, butterflies and even dragonflies. Dragonflies in particular are a very important part of their diet.

These avians have been known to live for 13 years but, the average for most probably wouldn’t surpass 6 – 7 years.

2. Purple Finch (Haemorhous Purpureus)

• Size: 15 – 16cm
• Weight: 24 – 26 grams
• Wingspan: 25 – 26cm

You’ll find purple finches throughout northeast West Virginia year round and in the remainder of the state throughout their fall and winter non-breeding seasons. 

Purple finches are recognised by their pinkish plumage with hints of purple throughout, their mohawk like head feathers and gray beak. Females on the other hand are mostly brown with the brown color patterned throughout.

These finches can be found in coniferous and mixed woods, both in forest interior and along edges. They also tend to breed near oak trees and streamsides. 

Purple finches tend to eat a variety foods from insects, small fruits, berries and seeds, with seeds being their go to food source.

The average lifespan for these birds is around 3 – 4 years though many are also able to live till 6 or 7 years of age.

3. European Starling (Sturnus Vulgaris)

• Size: 20 – 23cm
• Weight: 60 – 96 grams
• Wingspan: 31 – 40cm

European starlings were first introduced to north America in the early 1890’s. Now they can be found throughout West Virginia on a year round basis. 

These starlings are recognised by their multi colored plumage which is made up of purple, green, blue and gray. The head and neck are purple with hints of green, their wings green and gray, the belly and breast blue and green with the beak a striking yellow color. Females on the other hand are mostly a light brownish/gray color.

European starlings can often be found around people, using mowed lawns, city streets, and agricultural areas like city parks as their place of rest. 

As for what they eat, it includes worms, snails, insects, fruit and seed mixes. They do also forage for food around soil and rocks.

European starlings are known to live for around 2 – 3 years on average in wild, whilst the number is much higher in captivity achieving a max of 20 years within such an environment.

4. Common Grackle (Quiscalus Quiscula)

• Size: 28 – 34cm
• Weight: 74 – 142 grams
• Wingspan: 36 – 46cm

Common grackles can be spotted all throughout West Virginia on a year round basis. 

The common grackle is recognised by their purple head, brown mixed with hints of purple on their wings and back, blue wing tail and chest. Females are mostly a duller darker brown color with small inklings of purple on their body.

These birds tend to spend the majority of their time within wet, open woodlands, marshes as well as in suburbs, parks, and agricultural fields. 

As for the type of food a common grackle eats, it includes eating many forms of crops like corn as well as nearly anything else that catches their eyes such as food foraged from garbage.

The average lifespan for these birds is around 17 years whilst some are able to live till the age of 22.

5. Brown Headed Cowbird (Molothrus Ater)

• Size: 16 – 20cm
• Weight: 38 – 45 grams
• Wingspan: 32 – 38cm

Brown headed cowbirds can be found all across West Virginia on a year round basis.

These birds can be recognised by their light brown head, their dark blue/purple wing and body feathers. Females are mostly brown in color.

As for where brown headed cowbirds tend to spend the majority of their time, it would include open grasslands, as well as agricultural, urban, and suburban habitats where grain or cattle-disturbed soil are readily available. 

Brown headed cowbirds mostly consume mostly insects like grasshoppers, beetles, spiders, flies etc as well a number different seeds.

These cowbird are known to live for around 17 years in the wild on the high end.