Lesser goldfinch colors change based on their geography
While most bird species maintain a uniform look, male lesser goldfinches undergo a dramatic wardrobe shift from the Pacific coast to the heart of Mexico.
The lesser goldfinch is one of the smallest songbirds in North America, but it carries a visual mystery across its vast range. In the western United States, males are easily identified by their olive green backs and distinct black caps. However, as the population moves eastward and south toward the tropics, this green plumage begins to darken and transform.
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