Lesser Goldfinch (male)
Finches are well represented in Arizona, with a mixture of resident species, migrants, and occasional irruptive visitors. The House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) is one of the most widespread and familiar, thriving in both urban and rural areas. Cassin’s Finch (Haemorhous cassinii) occurs mainly in higher conifer forests, moving into the state more irregularly in winter. The Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus) is far less common, appearing only as a scarce winter visitor.
Red Crossbills (Loxia curvirostra) occur sporadically, tied closely to cone crop cycles in mountain forests, sometimes arriving in large nomadic flocks. Evening Grosbeaks (Coccothraustes vespertinus) also erupt into Arizona irregularly, mostly in the higher elevations of the White Mountains and other coniferous regions. The Pine Grosbeak (Pinicola enucleator) is extremely rare, recorded only on a handful of occasions in the state.
Lesser Goldfinches (Spinus psaltria) are abundant across much of Arizona, especially in foothills and desert-edge habitats, where their bright plumage and musical calls are common. American Goldfinches (Spinus tristis) occurring the north part of the state in winter, favoring weedy fields and riparian areas, while Lawrence’s Goldfinch (Spinus lawrencei) is more irregular, appearing in varying numbers depending on rainfall and seed availability in the southern and western parts of the state. The Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus) is another irruptive species, sometimes scarce but capable of appearing in vast flocks throughout Arizona during years of good seed crops.