American Goldfinch female & male

re: What are these birds?

misseymarie — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 11:12:39 GMT

They look like Gold Finches, the one on the right looks like a male Gold Finch and the one on the left could be a female.

Marie

re: What are these birds?

scalahan — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 18:28:08 GMT

These are Eastern Gold Finches. In the spring and summer the male is bright yellow, the female a duller greenish tan. They turn to a dull greenish color for winter - I think to hide a bit better when there is no foilage. They love sunflower seeds and sing very sweetly. Very nice picture!

re: American Goldfinch female & male

Rose — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 05:01:57 GMT

These are actually American Goldfinches, which pretty much inhabit ALMOST the entire U.S. at one time or another. (There is a small strip in the western area that they are not included, but in your area, they are surely there!) Before spring, I always try to guess which is the male, which is the female. This looks like a girl & boy, but without seeing the rest of the bird, it is hard to tell 100%. When you are able to watch for a bit, you can sometimes notice a pair coming & going together! These do look like a pair from the angle you have! What I love now is seeing the transformation from winter plumage (on the males) to their breeding plumage! If you watch frequently enough, you will see the gradual change that results into nothing short of a gorgeous male!

re: American Goldfinch female & male

Jen — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 16:10:05 GMT

I think even in the winter the male maintains a slight bit of yellow coloring to his head. As you see in the guy on the right is brighter than the girl even in winter plumage. Thanks for the comments guys!