Southwester area of the continent, including Arizona, New Mexico, western Texas, western Colorado, southern areas of Utah and Nevada, California and western Oregon.

Numerous in thichkts, woodland edges, and dry brushy fields.

Male bright yellow below with black cap and black or green back with some mixed. White tail spots at base and white wing bars.

Female paler below with greenish back and lacks the black cap

Flies in up an down pattern like American Goldfinch.