Lawrence's Goldfinch

Lawrence's Goldfinch, male

About the photographs

About the map

Play sound from this species

Lawrence's Goldfinch, female, June

Menu

1. Description
2. Sound
3. Conservation Status
4. Other Names
5. Cool Facts
6. Full detailed species account

A handsome and uncommon small finch, Lawrence's Goldfinch breeds across a small range in the woodlands of California and Baja California. Its highly erratic movements from year to year make assessment of its population trends very difficult.

Description

• Small songbird.
• Gray back and sides.
• Yellow patch on chest.
• Yellow wingbars.
• Dusky or black face.

• Size: 10-12 cm (4-5 in)
• Wingspan: 21 cm (8 in)
• Weight: 9-14 g (0.32-0.49 ounces)

Sex Differences

Male has black face, including forecrown and throat. Female's face is gray and her yellow patches on chest and wings are less distinct.

Sound

Song is a long, complex series of trills, burry notes, and chatter. Many song elements are imitations of other bird species' vocalizations. Flight call is a distinctive "tink-ul." Also issues harsh two-syllable phrases and single bell-like call notes.

Conservation Status

The erratic movements of this species make tracking of trends very difficult, but overall population size is probably less than 200,000. Because of its limited numbers, is included in the category of highest concern (red) on the Audubon WatchList.

Other Names

Chardonneret gris (French)
Dominiquito de Lawrence, Jilguero gris (Spanish)

Cool Facts

• The Lawrence's Goldfinch seems to have no loyalty to its breeding areas, being present in large number in a locality one year and absent the next. Its nomadic movements are probably related to availability of water and seed crops.
• Unlike most migratory birds, Lawrence's Goldfinch moves mostly to the east and west, rather than northward and southward, between seasons.

• Lawrence's Goldfinch was named by John Cassin in 1850 for his colleague George Lawrence, a New York businessman and ornithologist.

Sources used to construct this page:

Davis, J. N. 1999. Lawrence's Goldfinch (Carduelis lawrencei). In The Birds of North America, No. 480 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.