Carduelis psaltria
Searching through flocks of finches in the southern Rockies often rewards the viewer with the sight of the day-night plumage of the male Lesser Goldfinch. These birds frequently associate with Pine Siskins and American Goldfinches in small to large foraging flocks. First-year males, still without the contrasting plumage of the mature males, are often just as successful as their older peers in finding mates. It is thought that female Lesser Goldfinches are attracted by song rather than sight. Lesser Goldfinches will copy the songs of neighboring species, which is unusual for a finch. The scientific name psaltria means 'one who plays the lute'-an allusion to the bird's voice. |
I.D.: General: yellow underparts and undertail coverts; black wings and tail; white wing patches; small, stubby, black bill; black legs. Green-backed male: black cap; green back. Black-backed male: black head, back and rump. Female: green upperparts. Size: L 4-41/2 in. (10-11 cm). Range: uncommon migrant and summer resident in the southern U.S. Rockies; black-backed form is increasingly common southward. Habitat: riparian and ponderosa pine forests, agricultural areas, townsites and grasslands up to the montane. Nesting: saddled on a limb in a small tree or shrub; cup nest is woven with grass, plant fibers, bark strips, moss and a few feathers; female incubates 4-5 eggs for 12 days. Feeding: gleans vegetation for thistle and other 'weed' seeds; attracted to salt-rich soils; visits bird baths and garden hoses for water. Voice: song is similar to the American Goldfinch's; call is a mewing tee-yee. Similar Species: American Goldfinch: white undertail coverts; pale legs. |
