[Birdtalk] black-backed lesser goldfinch

[Steve Carr]

Stephen, et al,

The first Black-backed race of the Lesser Goldfinch I ever saw at my nyjer feeders (Holladay) was about 6 years ago.  I've had one 2-3 times since then for just a very few days each time -- so they certainly aren't regular, in fact, actually quite uncommon.

I don't consider Utah to be in its usual range (Sibley says that practically all birds west of Colorado are expected to be Green-backed), but then the common Green-backed race is either expanding its range or timing.  I have between 3 and 8 individuals every day of the year.  Sibley's range map shows them only as summer breeders, but for several years now, they are common permanent residents in my yard.

--Steve Carr
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