Saffron Finch Identification

A small songbird with a fairly large, seedeating bill. Adult male across much of South America—and in introduced areas like Hawaii—is yellow overall, with orange on the forehead that sometimes extends onto the face and throat.

Adult male in the "Pelzeln's" group of central and southern South America is duller, with less intense orange on the head, and more streaking on the breast and back.

Adult male is a brilliant yellow songbird with intense orange on the crown.

Female in the "Saffron" group of northern, western, and eastern South America is duller than the brilliant yellow-and-orange male found in these areas.

Immature in the "Saffron" group has a gray head, upperparts, and underparts, with a yellow breast band that also wraps around the back of the neck.

Often forages on the ground, where it feeds on seeds. Introduced to Hawaii and some Caribbean islands.

Female in the "Pelzeln's" group of central and southern South America is brownish above, white below with fine brown streaking, and has limited yellow in the wings and tail.

Often seen perched on fences, posts, and wires around human habitation.

Forages on the ground, eating mostly seeds and arthropods.

A social species, often found in flocks.