Lesser or American Goldfinch? (California) (1 Viewer)

D

DCSonoma

Member

• Nov 27, 2013

• #1

I think this is a lesser goldfinch, but I thought the beak would normally be darker, and none of the field mark notes I've read say anything about the black mask. Is this a lesser goldfinch? Thank you.

 

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P

Po'ouli

Well-known member

• Nov 27, 2013

• #2

This is a male common yellowthroat. Among other things, pay careful attention to bill shape. It will tell you a lot about the feeding strategy, and therefore taxonomic grouping, of the species.

 

nartreb

Speak softly and carry a long lens

• Nov 27, 2013

• #3

Yes, common yellowthroat. The mask is a dead giveaway (for males) - few other birds come close: wheatears have a similar face mark but are not yellow.

 

D

DCSonoma

Member

• Nov 27, 2013

• #4

Thank you. Im not very good at this...yet. It's embarrassing to make a guess that was so wrong, but I think the common yellowthroat will be etched into my memory as a result. Again, thanks.