A more Gold or Less Goldfinch?

[Gord]

This was from Island 22. I admit, it is a couple weeks old as well sort of slipped my mind (not a good sign for the old noggin is it! ;D ;D ) until I just came across the photo now.

I saw it, snapped a quick photo but that was about all I got as it took off and I could not relocate it and I got busy with other stuff and forgot to follow through on it.

Just a American Goldfinch juvenile or another sighting to join the local Lesser Goldfinch craze? I may be wrong, but I thought juvenile Am Goldfinches had buffier wingbars when this bird clearly has white ones. I cant say Ive taken the time to study Am Goldfinches in detail and certainly am not familiar with Lesser Goldfinch and their variables.

[Deleted]

I admit to not paying as much attention as I should have to the many American Goldfinches I've noted on the feeders while watching for the Lesser Goldfinch the last while. However, I've noted a definite trend recently among the American Goldfinches toward non-breeding plumage (i.e., they're already molting).

My guess would be probably a male American Goldfinch going into basic plumage.

But I could well be wrong, as I even have trouble separating the juvenile and female American Goldfinches. Any other opinions?

Stan Olson
Abbotsford

[Gord]

Stan, that was my first thought. However, the date was Aug 9 when the photo was taken. I guess it's possible for an earlier moult in some individuals which would explain the white wingbars. There might not be much to discuss given I did not get a chance to study the bird so there is not much in the way of any field notes to talk about.

Im just as guilty of overlooking the more intimate details of common birds such as the American Goldfinch especially since, until now with the Lesser Goldfinch, there was not much to confuse them with!

Thanks for the valued opinion Stan!