[NO LOCAL IMAGE YET] |
The males of this small, yellow
songbird have a distinctive black cap with black wings and tail. A similar
species that passes through the Imperial Valley, the Lesser Goldfinch,
has similar coloration but is much smaller in size.
Look for lively flocks that pass through the tops of trees or feeding in weedy farm fields as they migrate through the Imperial Valley to their northern breeding areas in the spring. These seed-eaters are also likely to visit backyard bird feeders in the winter and they love thistle seed! |
If you are interested in learning more about this bird online - I recommend you start with the Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, MD. http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/Infocenter/infocenter.htmlThey present photographs, songs, identification tips, maps, and life history information for North American birds - including the American Goldfinch and the Lesser Goldfinch
OTHER OUTSIDE LINKS FOR THIS BIRD:
Northwest Birdwatcher Article - Notes on the Lesser and American Goldfinch by Greg Gillson.
Goldfinch on a Thistle - Great artwork image of an American Goldfinch clinging to its favorite food plant. Displayed by the Washington Audubon Society Web site with links to further species info.
Goldfinch on a Thistle II - Photo of a real Goldfinch on a real Thistle plant displayed by "The Aviary" Web site with field notes.
The following "WAV" format sound file is copyrighted by Doug Von Gausig of Sedona, Arizona, as part of "The Sounds of Nature" Web site at www.naturesongs.com:
- http://users.sedona.net/~becky/goldfinch2.wav - Lesser Goldfinch
This site is maintained by:
Eldon R. Caldwell
Imperial Valley College
Email: eldonc@imperial.cc.ca.us