tags: Lesser Goldfinch, Carduelis psaltria, birds, mystery bird, bird ID quiz
[Mystery bird] Lesser Goldfinch, Carduelis psaltria, photographed in Arizona. [I will identify this bird for you tomorrow]
Image: Richard Ditch, 13 October 2007 [larger view].
Date Time Original: 2007:10:13 08:34:51
Exposure Time: 1/639
F-Number: 8.00
ISO: 200
Please name at least one field mark that supports your identification.
Rick Wright, author of Aimophila Adventures and Managing Director of WINGS Birding Tours Worldwide, writes:
Here's a tiny, acrobatic bird with a short, deeply notched tail. Even without a look at that conveniently hidden bill, the tail shape and the generally yellowish coloration point us in the direction of the goldfinches, and the dark back and big white patch at the base of the primaries identify our bird neatly as a Lesser Goldfinch. The contrasting dark cap and wing tell us we're looking at a male of the green-backed sort.
- Log in to post comments
Lesser goldfinch - yellow below, dark cap, white patch in wing, feeding on a sunflower.
I had to check this as I've never seen one, although the American goldfinch is quite common near here.