Lawrence's Goldfinch (Carduelis lawrencei), Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Pinal County

Lawrence's Goldfinch is an irregular winter visitor to Arizona and it usually departs by mid-March.  Occasionally a few nonbreeding birds linger into spring and early summer.  There are also a handful of breeding records.  This was a good year for Lawrence's Goldfinches in Arizona and it is perhaps not surprising that a few lingered, including this male photographed by Rich Ditch on 18 April 2008 at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum. 

18 April 2008, photos by Rich Ditch