Lesser Goldfinch male

The male Lesser Goldfinch has a tiny, stocky body with short, dark wings marked white wing bars. He has a black cap which extends further back on his head than the American Goldfinch. You will see bright yellow decorating his undersides as well as the area under his tail. He sports a black back in the east, and a green back in the west. He also has a short tail with white patches. He becomes a more greenish color in the winter, but keeps his black cap. The female is similar to the female American Goldfinch, but she is duller and has a black rump. She lacks the black cap of the male. Juveniles are more buff in color and are similar in looks to the female. They all have short beaks and brown eyes.