Species · GBIF taxon 5231643
Lawrence's Goldfinch
Spinus lawrenceiLawrence's goldfinches are highly nomadic, wandering erratically across arid western landscapes in search of water and annual seeds. Dressed in subtle tones of velvet-gray, yellow, and black, these social songbirds travel in pairs or small flocks, giving dry, bell-like tinkling calls in flight. They nest in loose colonies, choosing blue oaks or mistletoe clumps to raise their young before vanishing from the area for years at a time.
NomadicSongbirdSeed-eater
Licensed referenceBirdenheck / CC BY 4.0 · cc-by
- diet
- Seeds, especially fiddleneck and chamise, and occasional berries
- family
- Fringillidae
- threats
- Climate-induced drought, habitat fragmentation, and loss of water sources
- life Span
- 3 to 6 years
LC
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
- Listen for Tinkling: Identify their presence by their distinctive, metallic, bell-like flight calls that sound like wind chimes.
- Provide Water: Attract these nomadic visitors during dry seasons by maintaining a clean, dripping birdbath in your yard.
- Plant Native Annuals: Grow fiddleneck and other native wildflowers to provide their preferred natural foraging sources.