Pls help me ID this bird w chartreuse chest & black cap (1 Viewer)

[oldtrlrnr]

I ran across a group of these birds on a hike in the Santa Monica Mountains near my home. They were vary active, flitting from bush to bush. I was thinking they were Wilson's Warblers, but when I uploaded the photos and noticed the thicker bill, more like that of a sparrow or finch, I realized they were not. This bird has a chartreuse chest, grey back, black wings with some white, and a black cap that extends down to eye centerline, further than that of Wilson's Warbler - and of course its bill is thicker as I'd noted, more like a seed eater. I couldn't find any bird in my books that match this bird's appearance. I've attached two photos of separate individuals that I'm pretty sure are the same species, by appearance and congregation behavior.

Appreciate any suggestions.

Bob

 

[fugl]

Lesser Goldfinch

 

[Steve Schoech]

Agree with Fugl

 

[The Falcon]

Welcome to the forum, Bob!

Agree with the ID.

 

[oldtrlrnr]

Thanks for the ID

Thanks, Fugl. When I went back through my bird books, it was clear that these birds were indeed lesser goldfinches. Interestingly, one of my books states that they specialize in eating dandelion seeds. I'm sure they must include other seeds in their diet, as I see them mainly up on the ridges in the Santa Monica Mountains, where there are lots of other plants but few dandelions. I never see them in the neighborhood, where lawns are full of dandelions!

Anyway, this was a breakthrough for me to finally ID these birds, whom I've been seeing for years up on the trails in these mtns, but had never before gotten a good enough look at them to ID. They are very active, roaming in groups of a dozen or two, never staying still long. This time I was just out with my camera, with no sense of urgency to keep moving myself, so I sat down near some bushes and waited to catch these photos.

Thanks again!

Bob

 

[Steve Lister]

I think this is the first time I have noticed 'chartreuse' in a bird description.

Nice one.

Steve

 

[oldtrlrnr]

Re: "chartreuse"

Well their chest & throat areas did have that greenish yellow tone, at least they looked that way to me in the late afternoon light.

)

Bob