7 replies to this topic

[greymom]

Birds like this one have been showing up at our feeder in the last couple of weeks.  The closest ID I came up with is a yellow bellied flycatcher.  However, when I google other pictures and video, my bird looks longer and more slender than the yellow bellied flycatchers I've found.  We are in central North Carolina.  Thanks in advance!

[GWD Photo]

This is an American Goldfinch in its wintering plumage (feather colors). Welcome to WhatBird!

[Sparky the Cuttlefish]

This is actually a non-breeding American Goldfinch. They can be confusing when you first see them in winter plumage, because they're very drab compared to their bright summer plumage, but they still sound and act exactly the same. Also note that it's coming to a feeder for seed and nuts, where any flycatcher should be off after insects.

[JimBob]

I agree with the id given by Limpkin, and Canon Birder. Welcome to Whatbird!

[GWD Photo]

Also, just for more information, Yellow-bellied flycatchers are almost always seen from August to October in North Carolina.

[greymom]

Thanks for the quick reply!  I am very new to backyard birds.  Last year is the first year we put out feeders.  I had a finch feeder last summer that the yellow finches came to.  They hung upside down and ate the food that looks like tiny black grass seeds. We took it down in the winter when they stopped coming around.  Is this the same bird?  Should I put my finch feeder out now? I had now idea their feathers changed colors. 

[Sparky the Cuttlefish]

Yup, your yellow finches that you see in the summer are these American Goldfinches in summer plumage. I doubt they stopped coming, just changed colors! I have finch feeders outside now, and they're covered in Goldfinches, so go ahead and put out your finch feeder if you want to attract these guys.

 On another note, do you have a good bird identification guide? I was wondering, since you're new to birds, but having one can make bird feeding a lot more fun. It's a nice feeling when you have the means to identify all the birds that come to your feeders! If you don't have one, and you want one, I'd highly recommend the Sibley Guide to North American Birds - it's a really fantastic reference for bird identification, and you can get smaller versions of this guide for Eastern and Western North America. For just feeder visitors, though, this site has a good ID poster that means that you don't have to pick through all of the birds in Eastern North America to find a Downy Woodpecker:

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw/AboutBirdsandFeeding/BirdIdentification.htm

 Welcome to Whatbird!

[greymom]

Thanks everyone for the wonderful information and warm welcome!  Limpkin, I will definitely get the guide you suggested.  I've been wanting one and wasn't sure which one to get.  I will post in the intro forum later today and tell everyone how my birdwatching began.