Very very interesting. I've certainly never heard of it, or even noticed
it. Obviously I've not been looking closely enough.
The western and eastern races of Purple Finch have some differences.
See https://search.macaulaylibrary.org/catalog
and type in Purple Finch. These two races/subspecies are listed. If
you're really into this, *and I hope you are*, you could look through those
photos for each 'race' that show the tail and see what you could come up
with! To be continued?? The Macaulay library is a tremendous birding
reference.
Bob OBrien Carver OR

On Sun, Nov 28, 2021 at 7:19 PM Nelson Briefer <nreiferb at gmail.com> wrote:


> I would think that only a scientist can answer my question. I have

> observed many photos of House Finches. And many of them photos show that

> the bird has a short tail which is notched. But, this is a strong

> characteristic of the Purple Finch, not a House Finch. Also, regarding

> these photos there is never a mention or an interest in this occurrence,

> never an explanation! Nelson Briefer- Anacortes.

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