Geobopological Survey Old Man of the Mountain courtesy Multha . State Bird . . . New Hampshire Federation of Women's Clubs sponsored a state bird vote in 1927. The purple finch was declared the winner, though it wasn't officially adopted until thirty years later. It's like a sparrow dipped in raspberry juice.
Purple finches do eat some fruit and even insects.
Ragweed is a favorite purple finch food item. In fact, that was one reason why the Legislature had recently refused to eradicate ragweed for the benefit of hayfever victims. Purple finches typically deserts southern New Hampshire in winter. But finches may remain in the North Country in years when there's a good seed crop. Extremely friendly and easy to tame, the purple finch is a favorite with bird feeders.