Hi Terry,

Sounds like you've got House finches. Purple finches don't breed in IL.

Purple finch:
{{gwi:1347168}}

Basically, if you google them in images, you can see the females, too.

Good luck.

Thank you! With your pics, I can see the differences in the underbelly. And the purple is more stout than the house. This is the door we always go in and out of. Will it build the nest there? I kept seeing the male and what I now know was the female, landing on the light fixture on Sat. I was so surprised to see the beginnings of the nest today.

Terryr, I think house finches will nets about anywhere, It would be a fun experiance. I have both House and Purple here in West Michigan at times, but have not seen a nest yet.
Lisa

hello and congrats on your finches. i once had a robin nest on top of our front door light. what is odd- usually when they fledge they are on the ground a couple of days (robins) yet they just flew one day. well, one took a rest first. i got the bejeepers scared out of me when i walked in the garage and the bicycle had grown eyes. there were only two babes.

purples don't breed in Illinois?
I sure never knew knew that one.
We have had purple finches at the feeder year-round, although never in large groups. Is it possible that we have purple finches staying year-round like some of the robins do? The females are easier for me to tell apart than the males.

Here is one of my all-time favorite bird links, if it helps. Sorry-I'm computer challenged so you'll have to copy/paste this one!

http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/id/framlst/infocenter.html

I looked in a few places and it says PF breed north. Maybe that's changed.

Here is a link that might be useful: Purple finches

DG,

In the link you provided, it shows a breeding bird survey map that does not include IL (unless I am mistaken)>

Here is a link that might be useful: PF Breeding Range

I'm not sure if they're going to build there now or not. It's the door we always use, so it might be too busy for them. For someone who isn't good at ID'ing birds, would you say the female looks somewhat like a sparrow?

Yes.

Well somebody's been extremely busy! I now have a nest on the outside light! Just a few pieces of what looked like straw yesterday, today a full nest. I am a little surprised that they went ahead and made the nest there, hopefully I can get some pictures when I get eggs! If I'm lucky, I can get pictures of the birds and you guys can positively ID them for me! I'm excited...lol...

Fairy, I've heard robins use the same nest year after year if not removed. Did they come back?

Oh and hey dirtgirl...put your link down here where you reply in the spot where it says Optional Link URL: then just give it whatever name you'd like below. Easy.

Terry

Here is a link that might be useful: dirtgirls fav bird link

hello terry. no, we didnt have a robins nest so far this year. last year either. i have lost track of time and have realized it was at least 3 years ago! but, this is finally the year we don't have a robin bumping the garage window all day, perch on the fence, thump, perch, thump, perch, thump....that one definitely came back a few years in a row!

we did have wrens nesting out back last year.