
This is North America's smallest finch, with a short tail and a very pointed, dark, conical bill. Males show two color morphs; those in the eastern part of the range have black backs, while western birds are green-backed. Adult Male: The forehead and crown are jet black; wings are blackish with a broad whitish wing bar; tertials are edged with white; in flight, look for a large white patch at the base of the primaries that creates a white "window" in the otherwise dark wing; tail is black with white patches on the outer feathers that are noticeable in flight; underparts are bright yellow, paler on the undertail coverts. First-spring Male: Duller than adult, less bright yellow below and the crown is dusky greenish-charcoal (not black); wingbars are generally thinner and more buffy and they lack the crisp white edgings on the terials. Adult Female: Highly variable, with some birds being quite dull and grayish olive overall, while others much brighter yellow below, including undertail; green on the back, slightly yellower than green-back male; lacks the black cap; has conspicuous wingbars that depending on the season will either be whitish or worn and buffy; tertials show pales edgings like adult male; wings are darker gray to blackish (not as dark as males), with one or two pale wing bars and a small white patch at the base of the primaries. The tail is all dark. First-spring Female: Similar to adult female, but lacks conspicuous wingbars and broad pale edgings on terials. Immature: Similar to female, but generally duller and more grayish olive overall. Distinguished from American Goldfinch by yellowish undertail coverts and heavy dark bill.
Length: 9 (cm) Wingspan: 20 (cm)
Voice:
Song is a harsh jumble of notes; often includes phrases from the calls and songs of other species. Call is a high-pitched, protracted teee or teeer. In flight, often utters a grating series of "jih-jid" notes.
Habitat:
Uses a wide variety of habitats, including open woods, riparian corridors, chaparral, and residential areas.
Behavior:
Like other goldfinches, has undulating flight pattern.
Feeding:
Feeds primarily on seeds. Occasionally takes small leaves and insects. Very agile feeder, often hanging upside down to reach seed heads.
Field Notes
Expanded Life History
Feed Ecology And Diet | Contribute Content |
Nesting Habits | Contribute Content |
Migration Status | Contribute Content |
Conservation Status | Contribute Content |
Local Sites to Spot | Contribute Content |
Abundance Status | Contribute Content |
Adult Male Description | Contribute Content |
Adult Female Description | Contribute Content |
ITIS Taxonomic Number | Contribute Content |
Sonogram | Contribute Content |
Courtship | Contribute Content |
Reproductive Characteristics | Contribute Content |
Relationship to Humans | Contribute Content |
ID Tips - Size & Shape | Contribute Content |
ID Tips - Color & Pattern | Contribute Content |
ID Tips - Habitat | Contribute Content |
ID Tips - Behavior | Contribute Content |
ID Tips - Wingspan | Contribute Content |
ID Tips - Weight | Contribute Content |
Breeding | Contribute Content |
Cool Facts | Contribute Content |
Local Knowledge | Contribute Content |
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Sightings
Date | Submitted By | Count |
---|---|---|
09/25/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
09/18/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
09/11/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
09/11/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
09/04/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
09/04/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
08/21/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | 2 |
08/21/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | 2 |
08/07/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
08/07/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
07/10/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
07/10/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
07/03/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
07/03/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
06/05/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
Recent Activity
Activity | Date & Time |
---|---|
Billy Bump added Lesser Goldfinch to their Olive branch, ms smart list | 2/22/2013 at 7:04PM |
Mary Ratcliff added Lesser Goldfinch to their Yard smart list | 2/01/2012 at 1:43PM |
Dan Mitchell added Lesser Goldfinch to their Mitchell's Backyard, Tigard, Oregon smart list | 9/25/2011 at 8:15PM |