I was working at home a moment ago when I heard a jumble of song outside in my backyard. I half-consciously ID'ed the singer as a Lesser Goldfinch, and kept working. Then, a short while later, I thought to myself, "Wait a second - Lesser Goldfinch? In February?" (Apparently this spate of warm weather has got *me* confused enough into thinking it's late March or April already.) So I went outside to confirm it, and sure enough, it was a Lesser, with a very obvious white patch at the base of the primaries, singing profusely and making its characteristic occasional sweet 'peuuur' note as well.
I've probably asked this before and just forgot, but are Lesser Goldfinches overwintering in the Front Range anywhere? My understanding is that they may be undergoing a range expansion, but I'd like to hear others thoughts on this. I can't recall every hearing Lessers singing so loudly this early. Also, about Lesser Goldfinch subspecies. Does the fact that the bird in my yard had no detectable black in its crown, at this point in time, tell us anything about its lineage? BNA makes me think that males in Basic I plumage of the hesperophila variety - which I think would be less likely to occur here - would be more apt to look like this. Quoting from the site: "Basic I plumage similar to Definitive Basic (see below), except black feathers of head may have olive green tips, and black may not extend completely onto crown from forehead." Otherwise, I believe Definitive Basic looks pretty much like Alternate for all respective Lesser subspecies, and that the crown doesn't go away like it does for the adult male Americans. Hopefully someone can clear up my somewhat muddled thinking here. Eric DeFonso Fort Collins, CO --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
