The are are many types of finches. The Purple Finch has a rosy colored head. However, there are several other finches with similar coloring. It is about 5.5 inches long. The female is brown and white without any of the rosy coloring. The female is easily mistaken for a sparrow. Like the Gold Finch it prefers thistle seeds. However, it will come to a feeder containing other types of seeds.