Birdgeek wrote:
Your first image is an American Goldfinch in summer (breeding) plumage, by late fall they begin their transition to a winter (nonbreeding) plumage. The latter images are American Goldfinches in winter plumage— hard to believe they are the same species. Based on your location in Michigan, these are not Lesser Goldfinch, but American. Pine Siskens are known to travel in flocks with American Goldfinches but have defined brownish streaking & the bill is slender & pointed.
I just knew I could count on a Hog to solve this issue. I'm SO glad to get this information, Birdgeek. There is such a difference between the bird in my first picture and the ones that are coming to my feeder. I've taken pictures of them for the two years I've lived here at Byron Manor and they haven't changed much - that's why I had a hard time believing they were American Goldfinch. It confused my 94 year old brain. 😒 I love these amusing feathered friends who entertain me and I'm very glad to know them by name. THANK YOU!!!!!!!