Lawrence's Goldfinch

The Lawrence's Goldfinch, a small songbird of the Fringillidae family, presents a modest yet charming appearance. Measuring approximately 4.75 inches in length and weighing around 0.4 ounces, it finds its place between the lesser and American goldfinches in size. The plumage is predominantly gray, accented with delightful touches of yellow on the rump, wing-bars, breast, and flight feather edges. A distinctive white band crosses the otherwise black tail. Males boast a more striking contrast with black caps and faces, while females and juveniles display a more subdued coloration.

Identification Tips

When attempting to identify this elusive bird, look for the gray body, stubby pink to grayish flesh-color bill, and the characteristic yellow markings. The male's black cap and face are particularly distinctive during the breeding season. In winter, the plumage may appear duller, but it rejuvenates with the spring molt.

Habitat

Lawrence's Goldfinch favors dry, open woodlands near brushy areas and fields of tall annual weeds, typically within half a mile of water sources. It avoids deserts and dense forests, preferring habitats that offer a blend of shelter and feeding opportunities.

Distribution

This bird breeds from Shasta County, California, down to northern Baja California, with a preference for the Coast Ranges and Sierra Nevada foothills. Its distribution is erratic, influenced by water and food availability, leading to movements to the coast and upslope in the Sierras during drought years, and to the Central Valley edges after wet years.

Behaviour

Lawrence's Goldfinch is known for its wandering tendencies, with movements that are not entirely understood. It forms pairs during the breeding season, with males occasionally gathering in small flocks while females tend to the nest. Outside of breeding, they can be found in flocks, often mixing with other seed-eating species.

Song & Calls

The calls of Lawrence's Goldfinch include a nasal "too-err," a sharp "PIti," and a rhythmic "Itititi." Its flight call is a high, clear "ti-too," reminiscent of glass wind-chimes. The song is a high-pitched, continuous melody that incorporates imitations of other species' calls and distinctive sounds. Males are the primary singers, especially during the breeding season, while females may sing infrequently.

Breeding

Breeding occurs from early spring to early summer, with nests often found in mistletoe or western sycamore early in the season, and in live oaks, particularly blue oak, later on. The female weaves a loose cup-shaped nest, laying three to six eggs that are white with a blue or green tinge. Incubation lasts about 12 to 13 days, with fledging occurring around two weeks post-hatching.

Similar Species

While similar in size to the lesser goldfinch and slightly smaller than the American goldfinch, Lawrence's Goldfinch can be distinguished by its unique coloration and bill shape.

Diet and Feeding

The diet consists almost exclusively of seeds from shrubs and forbs. During nesting, it favors seeds of annuals like the common fiddleneck. It also consumes chamise achenes, mistletoe berries, and California Buckthorn berries. In Arizona, seeds of amaranths and inkweed are common in its diet. The species is also known to visit feeders for niger seed.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List categorizes Lawrence's Goldfinch as Least Concern, indicating a stable population without significant immediate threats to its survival.