Lesser Goldfinch

I bought a new bird feeder - a finch feeder.  It's the long narrow kind with the tiny holes for little seeds, like nyjer.  I always thought, just get bird seed and birds will eat it.  I finally figured if they sell specific types of bird feeders at Lowes, there is probably a reason.  And sure enough, within less than a week we are getting new songbirds.

For the first day or so the finch feeder sat empty - unloved.  Then I turned a couple of the openings upside down to allow more seed to spill and the House Finches found it.  They seem to prefer it now that they have the hang of it.  I think part of the reason is the sparrows leave it alone so they have less competition.

Anyway, today we got these beautiful Lesser Goldfinches, one male and one female.

Lesser Goldfinches, April 12, 2010, about 6:00 p.m. in my backyard, taken with the Nikon.  Identified (because I didn't know what they were) with the Birds of California Field Guide (which is divided by bird color.)