A stranger has started showing up at the feeder. I haven't seen this little fellow before, at least during the winter. We have a pretty good bird book, but the only ones that I could find, that were close enough, were out of their territory showing up here. Or I may have just missed him in the book. I wonder if any of you can identify him or her? Thanks for your help. Tom
Looks like a Gold Finch in winter garb. Do you have Gold Finch up there? In the summer they are bright yellow and black. The stiping on the wings was the give away. They over winter here ib Ohio so I wouls imagine they could up there too. They hit my bird feeder all day long here. They absolutely love sunflower seeds!
Our goldfinches have a very different beak from this little lady, but it's two to one so go with them!
I think that your bird is a female chaffinch,our Goldfinches have the same plumage summer/winter except juveniles.
At first I was reluctant to believe it was a Goldfinch, the beak was wrong, Goldfinch have a yellowish beak, and this guy has a black to dark brown beak. Also Goldfinch travel in flocks, and this guy is here alone. And finally they winter in the gulf states generally. However some winter as far north as the southern great lake areas. He sure looks like a Goldfinch in winter plumage, and I guess the beak could turn darker in winter. The Chaffinch is European bird, according to the book, not in the Americas. This guy must have been left behind when his flock headed south. I'm glad he picked our feeder to visit. Thanks for all your help. Tom
Penny, I've had a lot less action at my feeders since a Hawk discovered it and hangs around quite a lot. Do you have Hawks around there?
I have to agree it is an American Goldfinch in Winter plumage, apparently it is the only Finch that moults twice a year.
I'm sure that it's a goldfinch, as they frequent my feeders all winter long every year. They love the sunflower hearts I put out.
American goldfinch. They are very common here in Michigan as they hang out year round near Grand Rapids. Golddies by and large don't really migrate as you may think of migration. You may get goldies from further North while your goldies end up a couple hundred miles south etc. If there is enough food, yours may not move as far. Gotta love birds and good researching it. Ron
