[EBB Sightings] question about winter goldfinch ID

Usually I use the bill color for identification, but this year that has
been iffy for me.  The goldfinches in my backyard gather at a thistle
feeder which I can observe from a window at my computer.  I participate in
the Feeder Watch Project so am always watching out the window when I am at
the computer.

Anyway, I have observed that the American goldfinches are larger and have
a different shape than the lesser goldfinches.  They are plumper; the
lessers are more slender in shape and smaller.  In addition, the American
goldfinches have a brownish cast to their backs where the lesser
goldfinches look more greenish.  All of this is very apparent when the
goldfinches are together on the feeder.  Hope this helps.

Laura Gee

On Tue, December 18, 2007 3:53 pm, Charlotte Allen wrote:
> I've got a question about identification of winter Lesser and
> American Goldfinches. My Sibley field guide and the San Diego Natural
> History Museum (http://sdnhm.org/research/birdatlas/focus/
> goldfinches.html) say that the American Goldfinch has a pale yellow bill in
> winter, and that the Lesser Goldfinch has a dark grey bill in all seasons,
> and that's what I've used to tell them apart. BUT the Cornell web site
> says that the American Goldfinch has a dark grey bill in winter, and most
> of the photos on the web of winter Americans show them with dark grey
> bills.
> Who has the authoritative answer? And how do folks ID winter American
> vs. Lesser goldfinches?
> I've got a huge flock of goldfinches in my yard right now, and I'd
> love to know which species predominates.
> Charlotte Allen
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