The Lesser Goldfinch is a small, brightly colored songbird found in the western United States. Identifying a Lesser Goldfinch takes a keen eye and an understanding of some of their key identifying features. In this article, we’ll go over the Lesser Goldfinch’s appearance, song, habitat, range, diet, and behavior to help you confidently identify this bird.
Appearance
Lesser Goldfinches are tiny birds, measuring only 4.3-5.1 inches in length and weighing just 0.3-0.5 ounces. Here are some tips for identifying them by sight:
- Bright yellow body – Males have bright lemon yellow plumage on their undersides, belly, and breast. Females are a duller yellow-olive color.
- Black and white wings – Both sexes have black wings with bold white wing bars. The white bars are very noticeable in flight.
- Black cap and forehead – Adult males have a black cap and forehead. Females have a gray head.
- Short notched tail – Their tail is very short for a finch and slightly notched at the end.
- Conical bill – They have a short, pointed conical bill used for cracking seeds.
- Yellow legs – Their legs and feet are yellow.
Lesser Goldfinches undergo an annual molt that significantly changes their appearance. In winter plumage, both sexes lose the black and yellow colors and appear dull green-gray and brown. The wing bars remain white year-round. Juveniles resemble females but are duller overall until their first molt.
Song
The Lesser Goldfinch has a fast, lively, warbling song. Their call sounds like a rapid series of high-pitched wheezy notes often transcribed as “potato chip” or “weedy-chee.” They may also make a variety of chattering noises. The male sings constantly when courting females in the breeding season. Their energetic vocalizations are a key way to identify them.
Habitat
Lesser Goldfinches live in open woodlands, thickets, weedy fields, backyard feeders, parks, and gardens. They prefer areas with scattered trees and bushes, such as oak woodlands or riparian areas. They are common in scrubby or brushy habitats with plants that produce seeds for feeding. You’re most likely to find Lesser Goldfinches in habitats with the right mix of trees, shrubs, and weedy patches.
Range
Lesser Goldfinches live year-round throughout the western half of the United States and Mexico. Their range stretches from western Oregon and Wyoming south to central Mexico. They are very common permanent residents within their range. During the breeding season, they can also be found as rare vagrants in the eastern U.S. Look for them in the West and along the California coast.
Diet
Lesser Goldfinches mainly eat seeds of composite plants like thistles, dandelions, sunflowers, and asters. Unlike other finches, they also readily eat seeds of trees like elm, birch, and alder. They supplement their diet with buds, berries, and occasional small insects. Watch for Lesser Goldfinches foraging on the seeds of weedy fields and bushes.
Behavior
Lesser Goldfinches display some characteristic behaviors that can help identify them:
- Flying undulating flight pattern – Their flight is uneven and undulating. They flap in bursts interspersed with gliding.
- Acrobatic feeding – They can cling and hang upside-down from branches and seed heads while feeding.
- Gregarious – They form large flocks outside of breeding season and feed in noisy groups.
- Late nesting – They breed later than other finches, typically nesting between July-September.
- Nest placement – They build small cup nests in outer branches and lay 3-6 eggs.
Observing Lesser Goldfinches exhibiting some of these behaviors can help confirm an identification when combined with their appearance and vocalizations.
Similar Species
Lesser Goldfinches may be confused with some similar looking bird species. Here’s how to tell them apart:
American Goldfinch
- Larger in size – American Goldfinches are 5.1-5.5 inches long compared to the Lesser Goldfinch’s 4.3-5.1 inches.
- Different bill – American Goldfinches have a longer, more pointed bill.
- More black on head – American Goldfinch males have completely black heads, not just a black cap.
- No black in wings – American Goldfinches lack the black wings with white wing bars.
- More extensive range – American Goldfinches are found throughout North America.
Lawrence’s Goldfinch
- All gray body – Lawrence’s Goldfinches lack any yellow; their body is all gray-olive.
- Brighter yellow face – Male Lawrence’s have a bright yellow face.
- Smaller and stockier – Lawrence’s are more compact with a larger head and thicker neck.
- Very limited range – Only found in California and Baja California.
Female House Finch
- Browner face and chest – House Finch females are plain brown on the head and chest, not gray.
- Streaked underparts – Faint streaking on the belly and flanks.
- No wing bars – House Finches lack white wing bars.
- Different beak – House Finches have a rounded conical bill, not pointed.
Conclusion
Identifying the Lesser Goldfinch simply takes patience and practice. By getting familiar with its bright yellow and black plumage, conical bill, notched tail, and vocalizations, you’ll be able to readily pick out this species. Pay attention to behavior like its undulating flight and acrobatic feeding. Focus on finding Lesser Goldfinches in appropriate scrubby, open habitats within its western range. With some time spent observing Lesser Goldfinches, you’ll soon be able to distinguish this small, energetic finch.