Bird of the Week — Lesser Goldfinch

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This is a female or juvenile Lesser Goldfinch who paid a visit to our birdbath yesterday. This is the first time I’ve seen one. I was pleased to have a new bird for Bird of the Week.

Lesser Goldfinch – Spinus psaltria

I learned that this goldfinch is called “Lesser” because it is smaller than its close relative the American Goldfinch. In North America, It’s the smallest goldfinch and one of the smallest finches.

COLORING:

While the males have black caps and white patches on the wings, the females and juveniles look just like the photo above with dull yellow underparts and an olive back. They also have two white wing bars.

SIZE:
Length: 3.5-4.3 in (9-11 cm)
Weight: 0.3-0.4 oz (8-11.5 g)
Wingspan: 5.9-7.9 in (15-20 cm)

LOCATION:

Lesser Goldfinches can be found in deserts, mountain canyons, weedy fields, in the brush of open areas and urban areas.

FOOD:

They mainly eat seeds from thistles and the sunflower family. They are attracted to backyard feeders especially with hulled sunflower seeds. Birdbaths are also a plus because of their diet of seeds. The Lesser Goldfinch needs hydration.

NESTING:

They do not mate for life, but stay together for breeding seasons and find a new mate the next year. The female chooses an area for a nest in trees or bushes. The nests are built four to eight feet off the ground in a protected area by leaves or branches. While the female builds the nest, the male watches.


She uses leaves, bark, cocoons, grasses and spiderwebs and weaves these together into a cup. The female lines the nest with hair, feathers, wool and fibers. Nests are about 3 inches wide and an inch deep. They have one brood per year with three to six eggs.

SOUNDS:

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Lesser_Goldfinch/sounds

58 thoughts on “Bird of the Week — Lesser Goldfinch”

  4. Do you have sunflowers in Arizona? I am thinking of replanting ours that went away during the winter. Perhaps this Spring when I will be 100 percent walkable! Thank you for your business card and cards! They are beautiful, and very elegant! Looking forward to seeing more.

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    • Thank you so much. I’m so happy that you and your husband enjoyed the cards. I’m sure we have sunflowers here, but not in our yard. I use a blend of bird seed that has sunflower seeds in it.

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      • We will. Thinking of sending them out for Christmas. Sunflowers take a lot of work. Some think they are easy to grow but that must be in Kansas, not in our yard.

      • I had sunflowers growing up in Washington state. I loved them. I’m thinking of creating a Christmas card. I have several photos of Red with a green background of different plants.

  8. I think we’ve had some of those at our feeders before. We put out sunflowers seeds, which all the birds prefer, as do the squirrels, deer, raccoons… but I just changed up the mix and now it’s more seeds than sunflowers. The sparrows are happy but the bigger birds aren’t quite as pleased.

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    • I thought the bird was a Verdin which my Merlin app identifies by their call but I’ve never seen. AI plus Merlin identified them as Lesser Goldfinches. I have a mix that includes sunflowers, too. The quail and doves dominate the bird seed.

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  12. Wow…her coloring is so unique! I don’t know that I’ve ever seen a Lesser Goldfinch, but look at you. Seeing one but also capturing sweet pics to share! xo! 💝😊💝

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  17. Pingback: A Flicker, Sparrow and Goldfinch Flew Into Our Yard… | bleuwater

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