Painted Bunting vs Lesser Goldfinch

Painted Bunting

Passerina ciris

How to recognise a painted bunting?

General appearance

The painted bunting is a uniquely colored bird about the size of a sparrow, with a size of 5 1/2" (14 cm). Its distinguishing physical traits include its bright, vibrant colors and its bill, which is thicker than those seen on other small greenish birds. Its wing shape is rounded and its tail can be notched, rounded or square-tipped.

Male vs female

There is a substantial difference in coloration between the male and female painted buntings. The adult male is unmistakable with a blue head, red throat and chest, and bright green back. These bold colors make the male easy to identify in the wild. The female, on the other hand, is plain green with no markings, making her more difficult to identify among other green birds.

Juvenile

Juvenile painted buntings are much grayer than adult females at first, which distinguishes them from the adults. As they mature, their coloring gradually develops into either the striking colors of the adult male or the more discreet green of the female.

Size

4.7 - 5.1 in/0.5 - 0.7 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The painted bunting favors semi-open areas with dense low growth, such as woodland edges, roadsides, brush, towns, and gardens. It breeds in thickets, hedgerows, woodland clearings, and undergrowth.

Additional range

In winter, this bird occupies similar habitats in Florida, as well as areas of scrub and secondary growth in the tropics.

Range Map

What do painted buntings like to eat?

Natural diet

The painted bunting primarily feeds on seeds, with a strong preference for those from grasses and weeds. It occasionally eats berries and fruits. In terms of insects, its diet includes beetles, caterpillars, grasshoppers, flies, and other insect varieties. The bird tends to consume more insects during early summer, especially when feeding its young.

Bird feeders

At bird feeders, painted buntings are often attracted to white millet seeds. They are less likely to visit feeders offering typical birdseed mixes or sunflower seeds, preferring small seeds that mimic their natural diet.

What does a painted bunting sound like?

The painted bunting is known for its loud, clear, and variable song which consists of high-pitched musical notes, creating a complex and undulating melody. Its usual call is a sharp, metallic "tsick" sound. The call types include whistle-like sounds and chirps or chips, showcasing a diverse vocal range.

Song

Audio by Paul Marvin

/ CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Song

Audio by Paul Marvin

/ CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

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Lesser Goldfinch

Spinus psaltria

How to recognise a lesser goldfinch?

General appearance

The lesser goldfinch is a small songbird, about 4.5 inches long, with a wingspan of approximately 8 inches. It has a short, conical bill ideal for seed eating. Its tail is notched and relatively short. The species is notable for its bright yellow underparts, contrasting with black or olive-green upperparts. The wings and tail are dark with white wing bars and edges, giving it a distinctive appearance in flight.

Male vs female

Male lesser goldfinches typically display a glossy black cap and upper back. Regionally, their back can also appear olive-green. Females are generally more subdued, with olive-green upperparts and a less distinct cap. Both genders share the yellow underparts, but females have duller shades. During the breeding season, males are brighter with clearer contrast, while females remain consistent year-round.

Juvenile

Juvenile lesser goldfinches resemble adult females, displaying olive-green upperparts and yellowish underparts but with more muted overall tones. They lack the distinct black cap found in adult males. As they mature, male juveniles develop the characteristic coloration and markings of adult males, while females retain their more subdued appearance.

Size

3.5 - 4.3 in/0.3 - 0.4 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

Lesser goldfinch typically inhabits semi-open areas, such as open brushy country, open woods, and gardens. It is found near thickets and trees close to open weedy fields.

Additional range

It ranges from low valleys to high mountains, typically close to water in dry regions. Occasionally, they inhabit semi-open terrains or woodland edges in the tropics.

Range Map

What do lesser goldfinches like to eat?

Natural diet

The lesser goldfinch primarily consumes seeds, especially favoring those from the daisy (composite) family, such as thistle and wild sunflower. Its diet includes seeds from various weeds. Additionally, it eats flowers, buds of trees like cottonwoods, some berries, and insects, primarily small ones like aphids, especially in summer. The lesser goldfinch may also ingest salt as part of its diet.

Bird feeders

At bird feeders, the lesser goldfinch is attracted to small seeds, with a preference for offerings resembling its natural diet. It might be drawn to feeders that provide sunflower seeds and thistle (nyjer) seeds, which are commonly available in commercial bird seed blends and cater to its seed-centric diet.

What does a lesser goldfinch sound like?

The lesser goldfinch's vocalizations are characterized by a rapid medley of twittering notes, indicative of its typical song. Common calls of this bird include a plaintive tee-yee or cheeo sound. Its call pattern is complex, varying between falling and undulating rhythms. The calls can be further classified into different types such as chatter, chirp/chip, and whistle.

Call

Audio by Paul Marvin

/ CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Call

Audio by Paul Marvin

/ CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Song

Audio by Paul Marvin

/ CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

There's more to learn about Lesser Goldfinch

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Painted Bunting

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Lesser Goldfinch

Painted Bunting

Passerina ciris

General appearance

The painted bunting is a uniquely colored bird about the size of a sparrow, with a size of 5 1/2" (14 cm). Its distinguishing physical traits include its bright, vibrant colors and its bill, which is thicker than those seen on other small greenish birds. Its wing shape is rounded and its tail can be notched, rounded or square-tipped.

Male vs female

There is a substantial difference in coloration between the male and female painted buntings. The adult male is unmistakable with a blue head, red throat and chest, and bright green back. These bold colors make the male easy to identify in the wild. The female, on the other hand, is plain green with no markings, making her more difficult to identify among other green birds.

Juvenile

Juvenile painted buntings are much grayer than adult females at first, which distinguishes them from the adults. As they mature, their coloring gradually develops into either the striking colors of the adult male or the more discreet green of the female.

Size

4.7 - 5.1 in/0.5 - 0.7 oz

There's more to learn about Painted Bunting

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Lesser Goldfinch

Spinus psaltria

General appearance

The lesser goldfinch is a small songbird, about 4.5 inches long, with a wingspan of approximately 8 inches. It has a short, conical bill ideal for seed eating. Its tail is notched and relatively short. The species is notable for its bright yellow underparts, contrasting with black or olive-green upperparts. The wings and tail are dark with white wing bars and edges, giving it a distinctive appearance in flight.

Male vs female

Male lesser goldfinches typically display a glossy black cap and upper back. Regionally, their back can also appear olive-green. Females are generally more subdued, with olive-green upperparts and a less distinct cap. Both genders share the yellow underparts, but females have duller shades. During the breeding season, males are brighter with clearer contrast, while females remain consistent year-round.

Juvenile

Juvenile lesser goldfinches resemble adult females, displaying olive-green upperparts and yellowish underparts but with more muted overall tones. They lack the distinct black cap found in adult males. As they mature, male juveniles develop the characteristic coloration and markings of adult males, while females retain their more subdued appearance.

Size

3.5 - 4.3 in/0.3 - 0.4 oz

There's more to learn about Lesser Goldfinch

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How to tell the Painted Bunting from the Lesser Goldfinch

Visual differences

The Painted Bunting is larger (5.5 inches) than the Lesser Goldfinch (4.5 inches). Painted Bunting males are multicolored with blue heads, red chests, and green backs, while females are bright green. Lesser Goldfinches have yellow underparts with black or olive-green upperparts, and a short, conical bill. Buntings have a thicker bill and less distinctive wing markings. Lesser Goldfinches have a notched tail and white wing bars. Males have a black cap, unlike the Bunting. These visual distinctions aid in identification.

Key differences and behavior

The Painted Bunting and Lesser Goldfinch, while both colorful small songbirds, exhibit distinct behavioral and ecological differences. Painted Buntings favor semi-open areas with dense low growth, defending territories through song and physical displays, and often breed polygynously. They primarily eat seeds but increase insect consumption during the breeding season. In contrast, Lesser Goldfinches inhabit semi-open areas near water, breeding from early spring to mid-autumn. Males perform display flights during courtship. Their diet mainly comprises seeds from the daisy family and insects like aphids. Both species are attracted to bird feeders but differ in seed preferences; Painted Buntings prefer white millet, while Lesser Goldfinches enjoy sunflower and thistle seeds. Overall, habitat choice and breeding behaviors such as polygyny in Painted Buntings and display flights in Lesser Goldfinches serve as distinguishing factors in the field.