Lesser Goldfinch male

Lesser Goldfinches are tiny, stub-billed songbirds with long, pointed wings, and short, notched tails.

Males are bright yellow below with a glossy black cap and white patches in the wings; their backs can be glossy black or dull green (particularly on the West Coast). They have a black tail with large, white corners. Females and immatures have olive backs, dull yellow underparts, and black wings marked by two whitish wingbars.