Tuesday, March 21, 2023
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
The Chronicle News
  • Home
  • Local News
    • Elgin
    • Fletcher
    • Sterling
    • Medicine Park
    • Lawton & Ft.Sill
    • Cement & Cyril
    • Rush Springs
  • Sports
  • Opinions
  • Lifestyle
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Local News
    • Elgin
    • Fletcher
    • Sterling
    • Medicine Park
    • Lawton & Ft.Sill
    • Cement & Cyril
    • Rush Springs
  • Sports
  • Opinions
  • Lifestyle
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
The Chronicle News
No Result
View All Result
Home Lifestyle

Lesser goldfinch

The Chronicle News by The Chronicle News
January 27, 2023
in Lifestyle
0
Lesser goldfinch | The Southwest Chronicle
6
SHARES
33
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

 

A little more than a year ago, I featured the American goldfinch, a common winter visitor to southwest Oklahoma.

This week’s featured creature is its smaller cousin, the lesser goldfinch.

I enjoy watching and photographing lesser goldfinches, which usually requires visiting southern or western Texas.

However, while southwest Oklahoma isn’t included in the lesser goldfinch’s normal range, this bird does occasionally visit here in the winter and during spring migration.

However, as I’ve mentioned in the past, birds don’t always observe normal population ranges and will fly where they want. There have been quite a few sightings of these birds in and around Lawton this season.

This species is sometimes called the black-backed goldfinch or Arkansas goldfinch, which is odd to me, as that state is way out of its normal range. It’s been reported in Arkansas a few times but not enough to warrant that name, in my opinion.

Appearance

At 3.5 to 4.3 inches in length, the lesser goldfinch is smaller than the American goldfinch, which measures 4.3 to 5.1 inches.

It has a blackish conical bill, which is stout but sharply pointed.

Adult males in breeding plumage are glossy black above and bright yellow below, with white patches in the wings (photo).

In winter, the black coloring on males fades quite a bit, but they retain a fair amount of black on the head, often in the form of a black cap.

Females are duller than males (photo) and lack the black cap of males.

Habitat

Generally, semi-open areas of many kinds, including brushy country, open woods, wooded streams and gardens.

Food

Mostly seeds but some insects, especially when breeding. Most seeds consumed are from the sunflower family.

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology reports that, like American goldfinches, lesser goldfinches cling to the seed heads of tall plants, bending the stem down so that it can hang upside down while picking at the seeds.

Lesser goldfinches readily come to feeders. They enjoy many kinds of seeds from the sunflower family, including the thin-hulled seeds of Nyjer (thistle).

They will also eat black oil sunflower seeds, both regular and hulled.

Range

The lesser goldfinch is a bird of the American West, Southwest and Mexico. Its breeding population includes much of the American West and just a small portion of the western Oklahoma Panhandle. Its permanent range includes the southern half of Texas west to California and south through Mexico.

Odds and ends

Two color patterns occur in the United States, and males west of the Rocky Mountains may be either green-backed or black-backed.

On another note, a slaty-backed gull has been visiting Lake Hefner in Oklahoma City for a few days. As of Wednesday, it was still being seen, often in the middle of the lake, or with other groups of gulls on the east side of the lake. I will attempt to visit this week to observe the bird and get some photos. I will keep you advised.

Please don’t forget to check out my Randy’s Natural World YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/user/randyadventure. I’m making new videos as quickly as I can.

Editor’s Note: Randy Mitchell is a freelance writer and photographer. He has been an avid birdwatcher, nature enthusiast and photographer for more than 40 years. Reach him at rnw@usa.com.

 

You might also like

The Lapland longspur

The western grebe

Bluebird of happiness

Previous Post

ELGIN ANIMAL SHELTER FEATURED PET : Lovable Layce

Next Post

Elgin defeats Byng to finish third at tourney

The Chronicle News

The Chronicle News

Related Posts

The Lapland longspur | The Southwest Chronicle
Lifestyle

The Lapland longspur

by The Chronicle News
March 13, 2023
The western grebe | The Southwest Chronicle
Lifestyle

The western grebe

by The Chronicle News
March 3, 2023
Bluebird of happiness | The Southwest Chronicle
Lifestyle

Bluebird of happiness

by The Chronicle News
February 24, 2023
RANDY'S NATURAL WORLD: Swan song
Lifestyle

RANDY’S NATURAL WORLD: Swan song

by The Chronicle News
February 17, 2023
Randy's Natural World | The Southwest Chronicle
Lifestyle

Randy’s Natural World

by The Chronicle News
February 10, 2023
Next Post
Elgin defeats Byng to finish third at tourney

Elgin defeats Byng to finish third at tourney

Recommended

chronicle news fletcher

Elgin Citywide Garage Sale

June 3, 2022
Elgin boys win Newcastle cross-country meet

Elgin boys win Newcastle cross-country meet

October 7, 2022

Categories

  • Business
  • Cement & Cyril
  • Elgin
  • Entertainment
  • Fletcher
  • Lawton & Ft.Sill
  • Lifestyle
  • Medicine Park
  • Opinions
  • Rush Springs
  • Sports
  • Sterling

Don't miss it

Schuh signs with Rose State volleyball team
Elgin

Schuh signs with Rose State volleyball team

March 13, 2023
Lady Owls sweep Altus to earn fourth win
Sports

Sterling squeezes past Chattanooga 8-7

March 13, 2023
Lady Tigers defeated Strother 2-0 to win Depew tournament title
Sterling

Tigers win 2 in runaway style over Geronimo, Snyder

March 13, 2023
Lady Owls stymied in final quarter as Classen wins 49-27
Elgin

Lady Owls stymied in final quarter as Classen wins 49-27

March 13, 2023
Classen bounces back for 50-39 win over Elgin
Sports

Classen bounces back for 50-39 win over Elgin

March 13, 2023
Parker signs with SNU football team
Elgin

Parker signs with SNU football team

March 13, 2023

The Chronicle News

The Chronicle
Elgin, Okla. 73538
580-529-NEWS
Office Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. M-F
Bringing you local news and community events every Thursday.

Categories

  • Local News
    • Elgin
    • Fletcher
    • Cement & Cyril
    • Sterling
    • Lawton & Ft.Sill
    • Medicine Park
    • Rush Springs
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Opinions
  • Sports

Site Links

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Recent News

Schuh signs with Rose State volleyball team

Schuh signs with Rose State volleyball team

March 13, 2023
Lady Owls sweep Altus to earn fourth win

Sterling squeezes past Chattanooga 8-7

March 13, 2023

Copyright © 2022 The Chronicle News | All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Local News
    • Elgin
    • Fletcher
    • Sterling
    • Medicine Park
    • Lawton & Ft.Sill
    • Cement & Cyril
    • Rush Springs
  • Sports
  • Opinions
  • Lifestyle
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2022 The Chronicle News | All Rights Reserved.

What Are Cookies
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT
Are you sure want to unlock this post?
Unlock left : 0
Are you sure want to cancel subscription?