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Post by Jamie on Apr 16, 2020 18:49:42 GMT -8
There was a Lesser Goldfinch visiting the backyard feeder today.
Right away I could notice that the shade of yellow was different than the other American Goldfinches that visit our feeders. It was greenish-yellow, and reminded me a lot of the Lesser Goldfinch from Abbotsford in early 2016. At this time of a year, American Goldfinches would not have these colors. Had this been fall, it would be a lot harder to identify.
I managed to get some pictures, and upon closer inspection I could see that the bill was dark (instead of the pink of an American Goldfinch) and there was black spotting on the crown (an adult male Lesser Goldfinch would have an entirely black crown) Also, it was a bit smaller than the Pine Siskins that were also at the feeder. Check out the black on the crown. A male Lesser Goldfinch would have an entirely black crown, so this is not a male. It is probably a female.
A pretty good yard bird, and 4th record for the checklist area! I hope I can see it again tomorrow and get some better pictures
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Post by Gord on Apr 16, 2020 20:47:46 GMT -8
Sure looks good to me. Great spotting it. Proud of ya! Hope it shows up tomorrow!
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Post by ed on Apr 16, 2020 21:34:24 GMT -8
What fun!
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Post by nickinthegarden on Apr 17, 2020 3:27:45 GMT -8
What a wonderful find for a backyard well done! Many people have backyard bird feeders but very few have the skills and knowledge to distinguish such a bird and you even managed to get some pretty decent images to document your find, excellent!
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Post by Randy on Apr 17, 2020 6:12:36 GMT -8
Awesome Jamie! I'm impressed you noticed that among the other females. Definitely tells me to pay more attention!!
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Post by Jamie on Apr 17, 2020 18:08:10 GMT -8
Update -wasn't seen today. However, there are a few more American Goldfinches in the yard
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Post by Gord on Apr 17, 2020 20:25:59 GMT -8
Maybe I'll get lucky this weekend and see it. That bag of sunflower chips sure paid off! This is the first time we've used it. Usually we provide the basic 'steak and potatoes' by way of white millet and black oil sunflower. And suet of course as well.
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Post by Randy on Apr 18, 2020 6:21:39 GMT -8
I actually switched over to sunflower chips too, mainly because there is no mess on the ground or in the feeder tray, or anything growing under the feeders, what a huge difference!
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Post by Gord on Sept 2, 2020 22:46:27 GMT -8
This afternoon I took a casual look through the binoculars at our little pond in the backyard and among some American Goldfinch and an Orange-crowned Warbler was a female Lesser Goldfinch. Likely the same bird Jamie saw in the spring? Interesting, if so, how long it was before it was seen here again. It flew before I could get the camera and we went out so I wasn’t able to look for it more.
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Post by Harrier on Sept 8, 2020 18:50:21 GMT -8
I saw something exactly like this at our feeder a few days ago and assumed it was just an oddly coloured American Goldfinch. We live quite close, so it’s probably the same bird. That’s a lifer for me!
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Post by Gord on Sept 9, 2020 20:39:00 GMT -8
Could well be. They do tend to wander. Tough time of year with birds molting and all that too so your assumption was not a bad one to make. I saw ours today and Jamie got a photo as well because Lesser Goldfinches in our yard cooperate better for him than I.
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Post by Jamie on Sept 10, 2020 7:17:21 GMT -8
Here is the Lesser Goldfinch from yesterday. Better pictures than the ones I got in April.
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Post by Randy on Sept 10, 2020 17:33:05 GMT -8
Great find and thanks for sharing the photos! I was wondering how much different it looked and now I'm definitely going to be checking all my goldfinches more closely!
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Post by Gord on Sept 12, 2020 7:55:23 GMT -8
Saw her again briefly this morning. Hope she continues to visit as I'd like to see what she looks like in October when she's done her molt. We have about 20 goldfinches and a couple siskins coming so the sunflower chips are going fast!
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Post by Jamie on Sept 12, 2020 8:00:02 GMT -8
I saw it yesterday as well. It is always the first one to get chased off the feeder
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