Lesser Goldfinch

Male
Female

Year-round

Size
4.5"
Listen
Plumage / Description

Male plumage includes a solid black cap and a lemon-yellow throat, breast and belly. Tail and wings black with white markings. Back varies in color from a yellowish to an olive-green color, and sometimes even black. Females by comparison are muted in color, lacking the intense yellow, and the black on the head and in the tail and wings. Juveniles and females are similar in color � ranging from a dull yellow to an olive-green color.

Habitat

Male plumage includes a solid black cap and a lemon-yellow throat, breast and belly. Tail and wings black with white markings. Back varies in color from a yellowish to an olive-green color, and sometimes even black. Females by comparison are muted in color, lacking the intense yellow, and the black on the head and in the tail and wings. Juveniles and females are similar in color � ranging from a dull yellow to an olive-green color.

Relative Abundance

Common

Behavior

One of the most common backyard bird species found in Yavapai County. Readily frequents Nyjer/thistle feeders and sunflower chip feeders. Easily attracted to the yard with a thistle 'sock' or other type of thistle feeder. Also attracted to the yard with water features � particularly moving water in the way of fountains and recirculating ponds and waterfalls. A partial migrator � more common in summer than in winter.

Diet

Seeds, Insects, Plant products such as leaves, buds, flower petals, etc.

Similar Species

American Goldfinch

Best Sites

Watson Woods, Granite Creek Park, Stricklin Park, Cottonwood Peninsula at Willow Lake