Lesser goldfinch

Spinus psaltria

The lesser goldfinch (Spinus psaltria) is a small finch in the genus Spinus native to the Americas.

Family: Fringillidae Order: passerines Conservation: Least Concern
Lesser goldfinch

About the Lesser goldfinch

The lesser goldfinch (Spinus psaltria) is a small finch in the genus Spinus native to the Americas. As is the case for most species in the genus Spinus, lesser goldfinch males have a black forehead, which females lack. Males in this species vary strikingly in the color of their back across their range, from green in western North America to black in the eastern Rocky Mountains and Texas south to northern South America; this variation has resulted in five subspecies being recognized.

Fun Facts About Lesser goldfinch

  • The lesser goldfinch (Spinus psaltria) is a small finch in the genus Spinus native to the Americas.
  • Males in this species vary strikingly in the color of their back across their range, from green in western North America to black in the eastern Rocky Mountains and Texas south to northern South America; this variation has resulted in five subspecies being recognized.
  • As is the case for most species in the genus Spinus, lesser goldfinch males have a black forehead, which females lack.

Conservation Status

The Lesser goldfinch is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. This species is currently stable and not at significant risk of population decline.

View on IUCN Red List →

Taxonomy & Classification

Orderpasserines
FamilyFringillidae
GenusSpinus
SpeciesSpinus psaltria

Range & Habitat

Range map of Lesser goldfinch

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Related Species

Other species in the Fringillidae family: