Spinus psaltria
black-backed male
The Lesser Goldfinch is a specialty of the southwest. The sexes are dissimilar. Adult males have bright yellow underparts. Eastern birds have black upperparts, the wings showing a white wingbar and white at the base of the primaries and on the tertials; the white coloration on the outer feathers of the otherwise black tail is most obvious in flight. Western populations are similar but the back and nape are olive-green. Adult females have olive-green upperparts, with dark wings showing two indistinct wingbars, a white wing patch, and white edges to the tertials. Juveniles are similar to an adult female; by fall, immature males acquire a hint of an adult male’s black cap and forehead.
The Lesser Goldfinch is a mainly Central American species that is present year-round in the south of its North American range. In the breeding season (mainly from April to August) its range extends farther north. Outside the breeding season it forms flocks that often feed on thistles.
female
green-backed male
FACT FILE
LENGTH 4.5 in (11.5 cm)
FOOD Invertebrates in summer; mainly seeds at other times
HABITAT Open dry woodland
STATUS Common resident and summer breeder
VOICE Song is a jumbled series of whistles, chirps, and squeaks. Call is a sharp, whistled tee-oo
