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Lesser Goldfinch

Scientific Name:

Spinus psaltria

Type:

Bird

Habitat:

Lesser Goldfinch are adaptable generalists that can be found in the willows along streams, agricultural fields, woodlands and forest clearings.1

Range:

Lesser Goldfinch are common in the Western US, from the California Coast, east to Colorado, north into Oregon and as far south as the Peruvian Andes.1

Status:

Least Concern (IUCN Red List)

This species is

NATIVE

to the Truckee Meadows.

Identification:

Lesser Goldfinch are tiny, sociable birds, smaller than sparrows, similar in size to American Goldfinch.1 Lesser goldfinch are generally up to 4.3 inches in length, up to 0.4 ounces in weight, with a wingspan of up to 7.9 inches.1 While American Goldfinch have bright yellow on both their back and belly, male Lesser Goldfinch have either a dark green or black back, with a black cap and a bright yellow underside.1 Their conical beak is ideal for eating seeds.2 You can often find flocks of Lesser Goldfinch dining in weedy fields, cottonwood and willow trees, parks and backyard bird feeders.1

Fast Facts:

  • To attract Lesser Goldfinch to your backyard bird feeder, offer sunflower seeds or nyjer thistle seeds.1

  • There are regional differences in the color patterns of Lesser Goldfinches with the western most birds having a dark green back and the eastern and southern birds having a black back.1

Sources:

  1. Cornell Lab of Ornithology

  2. US Fish & Wildlife Service

  3. National Audubon Society

  4. IUCN Red List

Contributor(s):

Regina O'Shea-Hockett, research & content

Dayna Genio, web edits

Last Updated:

July 23, 2024 at 8:44:24 PM

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