Lesser Goldfinch
Spinus psaltria
Tiny yellow and black finch with white wing bars and pointed bill. Year-round Bay Area resident; acrobatic feeder on thistle and native seeds. Attracted to teasels, sunflowers, and native wildflower seed heads.
Plants that support Lesser Goldfinch
16 plants
Black Sage
Salvia mellifera
shrub
Seeds consumed post-bloom Jul-Sep; supports breeding and molt nutrition
California Buckeye
Aesculus californica
tree
Late summer seed consumption post-breeding
California Buckwheat
Eriogonum fasciculatum
shrub
Seeds consumed during seed maturation period Oct-Dec
California Fuchsia
Epilobium canum
perennial herb
Seeds consumed late-season; supports winter population persistence
California Sagebrush
Artemisia californica
shrub
Forages on seeds and plant material Sep-Feb; year-round resident in California
California Sycamore
Platanus racemosa
tree
Year-round seed forager; uses fluff for nest construction
Chamise
Adenostoma fasciculatum
shrub
Primary seed source, particularly important in late summer-fall when seeds mature
Chile Tarweed
Madia sativa
annual
Year-round resident utilizing seeds across seasons
Common sunflower
Helianthus annuus
annual
Year-round seed forager in California, peaks late summer-fall
Dotseed Plantain
Plantago erecta
annual
Feeds on Plantago erecta seeds; particularly important in late spring/early summer seed maturation
Dove Weed
Croton setiger
annual
Year-round seed availability important for this small finch
Elegant Clarkia
Clarkia unguiculata
annual
Post-breeding seed consumption Jul-Aug
Hayfield Tarweed
Hemizonia congesta subsp. lutescens
annual
Critical seed source during fall and winter months for overwintering birds
Hooker's Evening Primrose
Oenothera elata subsp. hookeri
annual
Seed consumption Aug-Oct during post-breeding dispersal
Red Alder
Alnus rubra
tree
Year-round resident in California; harvests alder seeds fall-winter