lesser goldfinch

1. Bird Name: Lesser Goldfinch
Scientific Name: Spinus psaltria

2. Appearance: The adult male Lesser Goldfinch boasts a brilliantly bright combination of yellow and black. The plumage of their back can either be glossy black or dark green, with the underparts colored a vibrant yellow. Their wings and tail are black, adorned with white patches. Females and young ones are more subdued in color, with olive-green dominating their backs and greyish underparts. They have a small, sharply pointed beak suitable for their diet, and the color of their eyes is a dark-brown.

3. Size: On average, these diminutive creatures measure about 11 centimeters or 4.3 inches in length. Their wingspan ranges around 20-22 cm or 8-8.7 inches. As for weight, they range from 8 to 11 grams, making them light, agile fliers.

4. Habitat & Distribution: The Lesser Goldfinch can extensively be found in the western hemisphere, thriving in many areas of North America, Central America, and South America. Its habitat preferences are quite broad – they can adapt to forests, suburban areas, gardens, and shrublands. However, they are predominantly spotted in the open country where trees are interspersed with fields of flowers.

5. Interesting Facts: Firstly, unlike many songbirds, both male and female Lesser Goldfinches engage in singing! Secondly, these little creatures have been spotted using a fascinating feeding technique known as ‘gaping’. They pierce the skin of a fruit and then use their beak to tear open the section, lapping up the juice inside. Thirdly, Lesser Goldfinches like taking baths – in the dust! Dust-bathing is believed to be important for feather maintenance and mite prevention.

6. Diet: Lesser Goldfinches are primarily granivorous, meaning their diet largely consists of seeds. They especially favor the seeds of sunflowers, dandelions, and alike. However, they will also consume insects occasionally, particularly during the breeding season, to secure the required protein for their young ones.

7. Behavior & Sounds: They are agile and acrobatic fliers, often seen flying in undulating patterns. Their song typically includes long, musical phrases, punctuated by pauses, characterized as a musical warbling sound. Also, their call sounds like a high pitched “tee-yee”.

8. Conservation Status: The Lesser Goldfinch is currently categorized as “Least Concern” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). They are common and widespread, showing no significant signs of population decline.

9. Lifespan: In the wild, the lifespan of a Lesser Goldfinch typically ranges from 3 to 5 years. However, with optimal care, captive individuals may live over 10 years.

10. Additional Notes: The Lesser Goldfinch was also named “Green-backed Goldfinch” before due to color variations in different regions. Interestingly, its Latin name ‘Spinus psaltria’ suggests a connection with Psalm singing due to the melodious songs it produces. They play a significant role as seed dispersers in their ecosystems, helping to perpetuate various plant species. In addition, their feeding habits also contribute to natural pest control by consuming harmful insects.