The Lesser Goldfinch (Spinus psaltria) is a very small songbird of the Americas – male Lesser Goldfinches in the eastern part of their range in the U.S. tend to have black backs. Along the West Coast, their backs are green, with only a black cap. Elsewhere, the amount of black varies, with many birds having partly green backs. South of central Mexico, all of the males are black-backed, black crown, bright yellow underparts. Wings, tail black with white markings. These finches primarily eat seeds of plants in the sunflower family, and they occur all the way south to the Peruvian Andes. Lesser Goldfinches are found in the grasslands, woodlands and gardens of west and south west USA and northern South America including Colombia. They are usually found in flocks and it is common for them to be seen at garden feeders. Like its cousin the American Goldfinch, the Lesser Goldfinch will delay breeding until the greatest number of thistle, dandelion and other composite flowers are seeding.
