Climate, habitat shift goldfinch range northward

A songbird usually found in the southwestern U.S. is expanding its range northward. Lesser goldfinches (Spinus psaltria), a small songbird recognizable by its strikingly yellow feathers, face challenges from a warming climate, urban development and other factors in the Southwest, where they live. But recently, scientists noted lesser goldfinches showing up in the Northwest. In a study published in Ornithology, a team of researchers tapped into birdwatching data from Project FeederWatch and eBird to analyze the species’ movement. They found that from 2012 to 2022, the songbird’s populations increased dramatically in Washington, Idaho and Oregon. The team also discovered the main factors associated with the birds moving northward were maximum annual temperature, annual rainfall, urban development and proximity to major rivers. “What’s fascinating is how these birds are adapting to human-modified landscapes,” said Mason Maron, lead author of the study and a graduate from Washington State University. “They’re not just moving north randomly—they’re following specific corridors, particularly along rivers and through urban areas where temperatures are warmer and where both native and non-native plants provide food.” The team said that while it’s good news the species can adapt to environmental change, not all bird species will be able to survive and thrive.

Read the study in Ornithology.