Lesser Verses More (American) Goldfinch

Like the sparrows, finches can be very hard to differentiate, unless you know some facts. Being a compulsive bird addict, making time for Ornithology or for the truest scientific study of birds isn't always my favorite part about watching birds. I'd rather watch birds, as opposed to read about birds.

However, because it's a cold  day, snowing outside, which is very rare for our region and because it's time for wintering goldfinches to invade the backyard, they seemed like a good bird to evaluate for a post. To help out...I've found and inserted an image from Birding is Fun.com.

 Image from Birding is Fun.
http://www.birdingisfun.com/2011/04/backyard-birding-american-vs-lesser.html

First, lets look at the Lesser Goldfinch in Adult male "Western form". They are a small and compact songbird with a black crown, short pointy gray bill, lemon-yellow underparts that contrast with black and white patterned wings and an olive back. "Texas" males show solid black back and bright yellow underparts. While male birds in the southern and eastern parts of the lesser goldfinch's range have a black back and western and northern birds have an olive green back, both share the bright yellow underparts.

While you can't see this bird's tail, back or underpants, it's short pointy gray bill and dark cap are giveaways. 

Lessor Goldfinch Male

So with all that information we should be able to tell them apart. Sounds easy right? Then how about this chick? Is it a Lessor or an American? My guess, it's a Lesser. Mainly because her parents were here and I saw their black backs! I cheated.  

Baby Lessor Goldfinch
Photo © Kelly Rishor

Last year a female and male tended to a nest in our olive tree, which is nestled near the house's front roof. The female Lesser Goldfinch selected the nest site, choosing a spot in a fork of branches. They like spots concealed by clusters of leaves, or shaded by lichens or grapevines. The babies are hatched naked, blind, and totally dependent on parents for food.

Mama Lesser Goldfinch

While it doesn't relate to I.D. some fun facts about Lessers. They are monogamous birds that mate after a courtship ritual of the male ceremoniously feeding the female, just as he will provide food for her while she incubates their eggs and while both parents feed the chicks. 

Mama Lessor Goldfinch

Male Lesser Goldfinch

Now, let's look at American Goldfinches. These birds are slightly larger than the Lesser Goldfinch. They're very bright yellow above and below, with boldly patterned black and white wings and have a white undertail. not yellow like the Lesser.

Male American Goldfinch
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Goldfinch/id

Here's where it gets tricky. Winter birds are drab, unstreaked brown, with blackish wings and two pale wingbars.

Photo – American Goldfinch in Winter © Putneypics

Image and info from http://birding.about.com/od/Identify-Bird-Families/ss/American-Goldfinch-Identification_3.htm. American goldfinches are most confusing in winter when they are totally without their bright breeding colors. Both males and females look similar in winter, with these field marks…

1. Head: The head is a warm tan color that may show a yellow or gray wash, though the extent of the color varies widely.


2. Bill: The bill remains sharply pointed in winter but turns a dull dark gray or black.


3. Throat: Winter American goldfinches have varying amounts of yellow on their throat, though the color is usually dull and can be hard to see. A brighter finch may have more yellow extending onto the upper breast or to the cheeks.


4. Wings: In winter, the black wings contrast less with the dull body but still show one wide white wing bar, no matter which gender the bird may be.


5. Plumage: The overall coloration of winter American goldfinches is a dull tan with a warm brown or yellow wash. The underparts are slightly paler than the upperparts.


6. Legs and Feet: Even in winter, the legs and feet of these goldfinches remain pale.


The goldfinch’s main natural habitats are weedy fields and floodplains, where plants such as thistles and asters are common. They’re also found in cultivated areas, roadsides, orchards, and backyards. American Goldfinches can be found at feeders any time of year, but most abundantly during winter, hence my posting. I've been seeing more of these little guys in recent weeks, as they really love the tall pine trees in our backyard, most likely for the pine cone seeds. 

Well, I hope this helps you half as much as it has helped me. I'll promise to do my best calling them by their correct species name in the future!