[EBB Sightings] Lesser vs. American Goldfinch ID

On perched winter birds, I look at the wings.

The American Goldfinch shows dark wings that contrast with the tan back. The
wing shows a strong clean wingbar.

The Lesser Goldfinch shows much less contrast between the wing and the back.
The wingbar is much less pronounced but the white patch at the base of the
primary feathers is much stronger. The net effect is that the white pattern
on the Lesser Goldfinch's wing looks "messy" compared to the "neat" wingbar
on the American.

Bruce Mast
Oakland

-----Original Message-----
From: sightings-bounces at diabloaudubon.com
[mailto:sightings-bounces at diabloaudubon.com] On Behalf Of DANIEL EDELSTEIN
Sent: Wednesday, December 19, 2007 9:59 AM
To: A EAST BAY BIRDS
Subject: [EBB Sightings] Lesser vs. American Goldfinch ID

I agree with the others that have mentioned ways to distinguish these two
species.

My top three decisions for IDing these two species apart when the bill is
gray/dark:

1. Vocalizations

2. ONLY the LESSER has obvious white wing spots when flying (This field mark
works for all age classes of LESSER, AMERICAN, and LAWRENCE's.)

3. The vent in SOME juvenile LESSER is yellow (and in all adult LESSER). The
vent color in all age classes of AMERICAN is never yellow; it is white.



Daniel Edelstein

Ellison Bay, WI

&

Novato, CA (Bay Area)


http://www.warblerwatch.com

12 Kingfisher Court
Novato, CA 94949-6628
415-382-1827 (voice & DSL fax)
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