Small black finch? (1 Viewer)

[Dona Houser]

I just saw a tiny black bird this morning on the ground under our feeders. Have never seen this bird before, and unfortunately didn't get a photo before it disappeared. It was about the size of a yellow finch (or smaller) and black...or almost black. I could barely see a hint of striping on it's back. We get a lot of finches.....so I am familiar with them. Just have never seen a totally black one before. Could it be something else?

 

[Peter C.]

Given where it is, and what it's doing, I would think Dark-eyed Junco is the most likely candidate. Could you catch the bill colour?

 

[Dona Houser]

Thanks for offering your thoughts.....but no, much smaller than a Junco, and unfortunately, I didn't catch the bill color. Smaller than a yellow finch, and trim body.

 

[Peter C.]

Well, there are no other black (or even mostly black) birds that naturally occur in eastern N.A. that are even close to the size of a goldfinch (as you well know, there are many rather large black birds around!).

So, absent another observation or a photograph, this one will likely have to remain a mystery.

 

[etudiant]

Small dark bird on the ground sounds like possibly a Winter Wren.

 

[KC Foggin]

I'm with Peter on this one. Junco was the first bird that came to mind when she was describing it.

 

[Hamhed]

A little late to weigh in but Pine Siskin can appear pretty dark with a striped back, is the size of a Goldfinch and often feeds on the ground.

Steve

 

[rowemag]

I just saw a tiny black bird this morning on the ground under our feeders. Have never seen this bird before, and unfortunately didn't get a photo before it disappeared. It was about the size of a yellow finch (or smaller) and black...or almost black. I could barely see a hint of striping on it's back. We get a lot of finches.....so I am familiar with them. Just have never seen a totally black one before. Could it be something else?

I have seen a very small, slender black bird, smaller than any of the ones suggested on this thread, in our yard, and can't figure out what it is either! We are in the NE US. Size of a wren, but without the short wren tail, and dark all over.