Calling All Bird Experts: I've been feeding and shooting these pretty little tweeters for two years. I thought they might be juvie goldfinch. Their colors or size haven't changed.

Annie-Get-Your-Gun Loc: Byron Center, Mi

I've been feeding and shooting these pretty little tweeters for two years. I thought they might be juvie goldfinch. Their colors or size haven't changed. Several years ago I photographed a goldfinch in my yard. These in this post were shot from my window where I reside at Byron Manor. I would appreciate it if someone would identify these. The first image is the one taken in my yard.

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rwilson1942 Loc: Houston, TX

Looks like Lesser Goldfinch but they are a western species, range is west Texas to California.
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Lesser_Goldfinch/id

Fred Harwood Loc: Sheffield, Mass.

Look much like American goldfinch, various seasons.

Annie-Get-Your-Gun Loc: Byron Center, Mi

rwilson1942 wrote:

Looks like Lesser Goldfinch but they are a western species, range is west Texas to California.
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Lesser_Goldfinch/id

Thank you Rick. Is it possibly a pine siskin? I googled pine siskin and they have a strong resemblance to the birds who come to my feeder.

Annie-Get-Your-Gun Loc: Byron Center, Mi

Fred Harwood wrote:

Look much like American goldfinch, various seasons.

Thank you Fred. There is a slight resemblance. I googled pine siskin and they strongly resemble the birds who come to my feeder.

rwilson1942 Loc: Houston, TX

Annie-Get-Your-Gun wrote:

Thank you Fred. There is a slight resemblance. I googled pine siskin and they strongly resemble the birds who come to my feeder.

Pine Siskin are very streaked on breast and don't have the bright yellow and black of your first image.
I think Fred is probably correct. Am. Goldfinch much more likely given your location.

Annie-Get-Your-Gun Loc: Byron Center, Mi

rwilson1942 wrote:

Pine Siskin are very streaked on breast and don't have the bright yellow and black of your first image.
I think Fred is probably correct. Am. Goldfinch much more likely given your location.

Thank you again, Rick. I'll google American Goldfinch. The birds who are coming to my feeder aren't like the first image. That was photographed in my yard several years ago.

Birdgeek

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.

Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast

Agree with the majority of posters, American Goldfinches in various stages, all have almost the same bill. We had these all over the Shenandoah when we lived there

angler Loc: StHelens England

Lovely set Annie.

Annie-Get-Your-Gun Loc: Byron Center, Mi

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!!!!!!!

Annie-Get-Your-Gun Loc: Byron Center, Mi

Blaster34 wrote:

Agree with the majority of posters, American Goldfinches in various stages, all have almost the same bill. We had these all over the Shenandoah when we lived there

Thank you for responding, Blaster. Even tho' there is a vast difference between the first picture in my post and the birds who have been coming to my feeder, I trust you and other Hogs who have said they are American Goldfinch. I value your opinion and I'm glad to know the identity of these pretty little birds.