Family: Finches (Fringillidae)
Genus & Species : Carduelis lawrencei
Status: Locally common breeder in southern California from the valleys to the mountains. Very rare breeder in Arizona. During fall and winter this nomadic bird may be common in lowland areas throughout California and southern Arizona, often in mixed flocks with Lesser Goldfinches.
Habitat: This beautiful finch nests in a wide range of open grassy areas with scattered trees, especially in the oak woodlands of the California coastal foothills. They nest at elevations ranging from sea level to the mountains. Voracious seed eaters, Lawrence's Goldfinches also require a steady source of water, which plays a role in their nesting sites.
Best Chances: Has recently bred along Kitchen Creek Road and a Live Oak Springs in the Laguna Mountains. We've also had good luck finding this bird during the fall and spring feeding at the lip of the pond waterfall at Live Oak Springs.