Lesser goldfinch Carduelis psaltria

Identification Tips:

• Small, seed-eating bird
• Short, conical bill
• Short, forked tail

Adult male:

• Some males have black upperparts, others black crowns and green upperparts
• Yellow underparts
• Black wings and tail
• White wing bars, tertial edges and patch in primaries

Adult female:

• Greenish upperparts
• Yellow underparts
• Black wings and tail
• White wing bars, tertial edges and patch in primaries

Similar species:

The male Lesser Goldfinch in alternate plumage is quite distinctive. Female Lesser Goldfinch is similar to female and immature American Goldfinch but is greener above and has a white patch in the wing.