# Lesser Goldfinch (*Spinus psaltria*) The Lesser Goldfinch is a small, colorful bird that loves to sing. With its bright yellow body and black cap, it can often be seen flitting around in gardens and parks, bringing joy to everyone who spots it. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 59 - **Habitat:** Urban areas ![Lesser Goldfinch](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Carduelis_psaltria_female.jpg&width=800) Photo: Alan D. Wilson, CC BY-SA 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Carduelis_psaltria_female.jpg) ## Appearance The Lesser Goldfinch is a small songbird, with males sporting a glossy black cap, bright yellow underparts, and black wings adorned with white patches. Females and juveniles are a more subdued olive-yellow. Its distinct black cap sets males apart from other goldfinches. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Fringillidae - **Genus:** Spinus ## Interesting facts - Males perform a stunning 'butterfly flight' display while singing to attract a mate! - Their tiny nests sometimes use sticky spider silk for strength! - They can even drink water from dew drops, a tiny drink on leaves! - Unlike many birds, parents feed their babies a special 'seed porridge' for growth! ## Special abilities - **Seed Sniper:** Lesser Goldfinch can precisely extract tiny seeds from plant heads because of its small, conical beak. - **Acrobat Forager:** Lesser Goldfinch can hang upside down to reach difficult seeds, a trick that helps them access more food. - **Song Weaver:** Lesser Goldfinch has a complex song that often includes mimicry of other bird calls, enriching its musical repertoire. - **Late Nest Builder:** Lesser Goldfinch breeds later in the summer, helping them time nesting with the abundance of mature thistle seeds. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 9.5-11.5 cm - **Wingspan:** 16-19 cm - **Weight:** 0.008-0.011 kg - **Lifespan:** 4-7 years - **Speed:** 45 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 3-6 - **Incubation:** 12-13 days ## Diet & Feeding These small birds primarily feast on tiny seeds from various plants and weeds. - **Age differences:** Young are fed a regurgitated 'seed porridge' by parents. - **Primary Foods:** thistle seeds, sunflower seeds, dandelion seeds, wild lettuce seeds, sycamore seeds - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Cooper's Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cooper-s-hawk) (*Accipiter cooperii*) — A swift hunter of small birds. - **Eats:** [Bull Thistle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/bull-thistle) (*Cirsium vulgare*) — Its tiny seeds are a favorite food source. - **Shelter:** [California Sagebrush](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-sagebrush) (*Artemisia californica*) — Nests are often hidden in dense shrubs. - **Eaten by:** [Domestic Cat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/domestic-cat) (*Felis catus*) — A common predator in suburban areas. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Enjoy watching birds from a distance and don't try to touch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Lesser Goldfinch? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Lesser Goldfinch? 9.5-11.5 cm ### What is Lesser Goldfinch's wingspan? 16-19 cm ### How much does Lesser Goldfinch weigh? 0.008-0.011 kg ### How long does Lesser Goldfinch live? 4-7 years ### How fast can Lesser Goldfinch move? 45 km/h ### What does Lesser Goldfinch eat? These small birds primarily feast on tiny seeds from various plants and weeds. ### Where is Lesser Goldfinch usually found? Urban areas ## Where to spot - [Arroyo Conejo Open Space](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arroyo-conejo-open-space) — California, US · Park - [Barrio De Analco Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/barrio-de-analco-historic-district) — New Mexico, US · Historic District - [Benbow Lake State Recreation Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/benbow-lake-state-recreation-area) — California, US · State Park - [Blake Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/blake-garden) — California, US · Botanical Garden - [Boyce Thompson Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/boyce-thompson-arboretum) — Arizona, US · Botanical Garden - [Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center and Botanical Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chihuahuan-desert-nature-center-and-botanical-gardens) — Texas, US · Botanical Garden [View all places to see Lesser Goldfinch](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/lesser-goldfinch) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Lesser Goldfinch: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lesser-goldfinch)