Purple birds can be found scattered all across Washington, so if you’ve found yourself here, I’ll simply be going over 5 unique purple birds that consider Washington home.

• Purple Martin 
• European Starling 
• Purple Finch 
• Rock Pigeon 
• Violet Green Swallow 

5 Purple Birds In Washington

1. Purple Martin (Progne Subis)

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

You’ll find purple martins in the southwestern part of Washington state throughout their 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 neighbourhood. 

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. 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 and over the years have adapted to the state in such a way that now they can be found in Washington year round. 

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.

3. Purple Finch (Haemorhous Purpureus)

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

You’ll be able to spot purple finches in western Washington year round whilst the central part of the state is reserved for when they aren’t breeding. 

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.

4. Rock Pigeon (Columba Livia)

• Size: 30 – 36cm
• Weight: 265 – 380 grams
• Wingspan: 50 – 67cm

These rock pigeons can be found all across Washington year round as it’s a permanent residence of theirs. 

Rock pigeons are mostly gray with elements of black on their wings and green plus purple hue across their neck. Females are generally smaller in size and also have a flatter head unlike the males who tend to have a more round head shape.

These pigeons spend the majority of their time around urban parks and neighbourhoods, around farms, under highway, railroad bridges as well as near tall rocky cliffs.

In regards to the food rock pigeons eat, they include a variety of seeds, bread crumbs, seed grasses, worms among other insects, berries and acorns.

Rock pigeons tend to live for 6 years in the wild when averaged out.

5. Violet Green Swallow (Tachycineta Thalassina)

• Size: 13 – 14cm
• Weight: 13 – 15 grams
• Wingspan: 26 – 28cm

You’ll be able to spot violet green swallows all throughout the state when they happen to be breeding, This will normally encompass the summer and spring months.

Violet green swallows are recognised by their darker green upper back and upper head, graysish/green wings, tail feathers with elements of purple along with a white face and breast. Females look very similar to the males.

You’ll find these swallows around deciduous and coniferous forest where you’ll see them nesting within tree holes.

These swallows feed on a variety flying insects like flies, true bugs, wasps, winged ants, wild bees, beetles, moths etc. like most others. They will also eat the occasional berry or seed if they come across some.

The oldest recorded violet green swallow lived for 9 years and 1 month but, the typical lifespan for these birds will be at least a couple years less.