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Lesser Goldfinch (Spinus psaltria)
Birds Around Las Vegas, Wildlife Around Las Vegas
Lesser Goldfinch (Carduelis psaltria)
Lesser Goldfinch male

General Description: Lesser Goldfinches (Carduelis psaltria) are small, sexually dimorphic finches. In adult males, all of the underparts are yellow, the wings are black with white wingbars, the entire top of the head is black, and the back is yellow-green. There is white in the tail feathers. Females are duller overall and lack the black cap. During winter, males resemble females, and everyone is a bit browner.

Taxonomy: Passeriformes, Fringillidae, Carduelinae.

Favored Habitat: Brushy places with thistle, which is their favored food.

Where to Find: There is no consistent place to see Lesser Goldfinches around Las Vegas. They are everywhere, so you just have to be lucky. Lesser Goldfinch are year-round residents around Las Vegas.

Lesser Goldfinch (Carduelis psaltria)
Lesser Goldfinch female

Comments: Note that the breeding male's back is yellow-green, and he has a full black cap. In American Goldfinches, the breeding male's back is bright yellow, and the black on his head is restricted to the forehead. In addition, in Lesser Goldfinches the white wingbars are less prominent, the yellow throat contrasts with a more olive cheek and back, and the underside of the tail is yellow.

Taxonomy: Formerly Carduelis psaltria.

Lesser Goldfinch (Carduelis psaltria) If you were a tasty bug or a little thistle seed, this might be the last face you ever see!
Lesser Goldfinch (Carduelis psaltria)
Lesser Goldfinch male: note green-streaked back
Lesser Goldfinch (Carduelis psaltria)
Lesser Goldfinch male
Lesser Goldfinch (Carduelis psaltria)
Lesser Goldfinch male
Lesser Goldfinch (Carduelis psaltria)
Lesser Goldfinch male
Lesser Goldfinch (Carduelis psaltria)
Lesser Goldfinch female
Lesser Goldfinch (Carduelis psaltria)
Lesser Goldfinch female
Lesser Goldfinch (Carduelis psaltria)
Lesser Goldfinch female
Lesser Goldfinch (Carduelis psaltria)
Lesser Goldfinch juvenile
Lesser Goldfinch (Carduelis psaltria)
Lesser Goldfinches on a sock-type thistle feeder
Lesser Goldfinch (Carduelis psaltria)
Lesser Goldfinches on a sock-type thistle feeder
Lesser Goldfinch (Carduelis psaltria)
Lesser Goldfinch male
Lesser Goldfinch (Carduelis psaltria)
Lesser Goldfinch male
Lesser Goldfinch (Carduelis psaltria)
Lesser Goldfinch male
Lesser Goldfinch (Carduelis psaltria)
Lesser Goldfinch male and female at a desert spring

Note: All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate.
copyright; Last updated 240126

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