Lawrence's Goldfinch

Lawrence's Goldfinch
(Carduelis lawrencei)
Lawrence's Goldfinches are late nesters, waiting until plants and weeds have grown, bloomed, and gone to seed so the soft fresh seeds can be fed to the young. Lawrence's Goldfinch nests late in May. It breeds erratically; one year many may be found in an area, the next, when the seed crop fails, few may be seen. After breeding, they feed in flocks on the abundant chamise chaparral. They appear even in the driest washes and slopes, as long as they have access to water.

Physical Description
Male has black cap and face; pale pink bill; gray nape, cheek, and mantle; yellow breast, lower back, and rump; white undersides and belly. Female lacks black facial markings. Both sexes have dark wings and tail with bright yellow wing bars. In winter, the blacks and yellows are paler. Juveniles are streaked with buff or light brown on back.

Lawrence's Goldfinch Range Map

Lawrence's Goldfinch breeds in central and southern California, west of Sierra Nevada and south into Baja California. Winters south and east to extreme western Texas. This species of goldfinch prefers dry grassy slopes with weed patches, chaparral and open woodlands.

Attract Lawrence's Goldfinches with our Goldfinch Feeders