lesser of american goldfinch? (1 Viewer)

Hi all, I only have this one pic, and it is taken from a bad angle (from below), so I can't see the wings or the back. Is there enough in the pic to distinguish between lesser and american goldfinch? Thanks!

I'd go with Lesser Goldfinch based on the black tail stripe.

If we are going for the tail pattern on males, this is the difference.

The lesser male at the top:

http://www.utahbirds.org/birdsofutah/BirdsL-R/LesserGoldfinch2.htm

American gold:

http://www-personal.umich.edu/~mhysell/pictures/birds2/digiscope/AMGO3.JPG

JanJ

Bobolink said:

Hi all, I only have this one pic, and it is taken from a bad angle (from below), so I can't see the wings or the back. Is there enough in the pic to distinguish between lesser and american goldfinch? Thanks!

Click to expand...

Hi Bobolink: Also vote for lesser. Female American and Lesser are very similar, but the black cap gives it away as a male Lesser. Not sure where you consider northern california to be, as many people in bay area use the term to differentiate from their hated rivals in LA. I'm in northern california. :-O A mountain valley ca. 100 miles from Oregon. My male lessers started getting their black caps around the first of March.
Craig