Lawrence's Goldfinch in Borrego Springs

Well, it's not the best of photos, but there it is--a Lawrence's Goldfinch in Borrego Springs Roadrunner Club. These birds are highly nomadic. They can be found in spring by looking for locations with the yellow fiddleneck flowers (genus Amsinckia). This spring, these flowers are widespread. Other typical habitats include sycamore streambeds and horse pastures in chaparral areas.

In mixed flocks with Lesser Goldfinches, look for the white under tail coverts of the Lawrence's. It's a trait they share with American Goldfinches, but these two species don't share habitat preferences, and will generally not be found together. The Lesser Goldfinches, however, overlap the other two species in habitat preferences. So you can find Lessers and Lawrence's together, and Lessers and American together, but rarely American and Lesser together. (Now I'm going to get lots of people telling me that they see them together all the time.... Okay, let me have it!)

Lawrence's Goldfinch. Borrego Springs, California. March 18, 2019.