Lesser
GoldfinchLesser Goldfinch -- South Dakota Birds
| Length: 4.5 inches | Wingspan: 8 inches | Seasonality: Rare Visitor |
| ID Keys: Small size, dark backs with yellow underparts, black cap, white patches in wings and tail | ||
Lesser
Goldfinch
Carduelis psaltria
The Lesser Goldfinch is a small finch of the western U.S. Birds in the eastern part of their range tend to have dark olive-green backs, while those further west have black backs. The complicated musical warbling of the male often includes snippets of songs from other bird species.
Habitat: Found in a variety of semi-open habitats with brush or trees adjacent to open grassy or weedy areas.
Diet: Seeds make up the majority of the diet in all seasons. Also will feed on small insects.
Breeding: No confirmed nesting has occurred in South Dakota, but the "Birds of South Dakota" (SDOU -- 2001) notes they have been regularly found during the summer months in Hot Brook Canyon near Hot Springs.
Song: Fast musical warbling.
Migrations: A permanent resident throughout much of its range. However, birds in more inland locations do tend to move southward or towards the West Coast for the winter.
Similar Species: American Goldfinch
Feeders: Will come to feeders for niger ("thistle") seed and sunflower seeds.
Status:
Numbers generally stable throughout their normal range.
Further Information: 1) USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Lesser Goldfinch
2) Cornell University's "All About Birds - Lesser Goldfinch"
3) E-nature.com: Lesser Goldfinch
Photo Information: September 11th, 2006 -- In Tucson, Arizona -- Terry Sohl
Additional photos: Click on the image chips or text links below for additional, higher-resolution Lesser Goldfinch photos.
| Additional Lesser Goldfinch Photos | ||
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| Lesser Goldfinch 1 (Male) | Lesser Goldfinch 2 (Female) | Lesser Goldfinch 3 (Male) |
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| Lesser Goldfinch 4 (Male) |
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Please mail any comments/suggestions/additional links for this page to: Terry L. Sohl
This page was last edited on 02/03/08