Although uncommon in lowland desert areas, it is otherwise common throughout most of its range. This perky species occupies weedy fields, open brushy areas and forest edges where it often hangs from vegetation gleaning small seeds from branch tips and thistle heads. It feeds the young a liquid seed pulp and an occasional insect. During the winter this species usually travels in small to large flocks, often associated with other seed-eating species, such as Lesser Goldfinches and Pine Siskins. The small, cup-like nest is tightly woven with plant down and other vegetation and placed in the fork of a branch in a bush or tree at low to mid levels.
The four-digit banding code is AMGO.
