Lesser Goldfinch (Carduelis psaltria)

Lesser Goldfinch (Male), Palm Canyon Resort, Borrego Springs, California
Photograph by Alan And Elaine Wilson. Some rights reserved. (view image details)

Lesser Goldfinch | Carduelis psaltria photo

Lesser Goldfinch (Female), Palm Canyon Resort, Borrego Springs, California
Photograph by Alan And Elaine Wilson. Some rights reserved. (view image details)

LESSER GOLDFINCH FACTS

Description
The Lesser Goldfinch is a small finch with conical bill and short tail. Males have bright yellow underside. The top of the head is black. Back color varies from black to greenish depending on region. Females are gray and olive-green above with yellowish underside, and a narrow strip of white on the wings. Juvenile birds are similar to adult females but more buff brown in color.

Size
10cm - 11cm

Environment
woodland, farmland, grassland, roadsides, orchards, parks and gardens - not found in dense forest

Food
seeds, tree buds. It is common at thistle sock finch feeders in the south west United States.

Breeding
Nest is a cup made of plant fibers placed in a bush or low in a tree. Lays three or four pale blue-white eggs.

Range
western United States from Oregon to Texas, Mexico, Central America, northern South America.

Classification

Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Fringillidae
Genus:	Carduelis
Species:	psaltria
Common Name:	Lesser Goldfinch

Relatives in same Genus
American Goldfinch (C. tristis)

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