Help Identifying a Bird

Can I get some help from POTN Birders on identifying this bird? I have dozens of them hanging around my feeders, and I didn't see any of them last summer. They didn't show up until winter.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/jownby/13017428​805/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/jownby/13017818​284/

American Goldfinch in basic plumage.

So you are saying that the birds I posted above are the winter look of these birds:

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/jownby/13018718​195/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/jownby/13018869​453/

They are one and the same, Joel, very nice shots.

The males are brighter colored than the females in the spring and summer.

Yup, that's what he's saying. Nice job capturing them!

Wow, that is quite a transformation. So goldfinches winter in Tennessee, but purple finches go south for the winter. Well, at least I think they are purple finches. This is the bird that I am calling a purple finch. If I am wrong about their identity, then someone let me know.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/jownby/13023234​574/

Comparing the two in a field guide, I think this is a House Finch instead of Purple Finch.

greenjeans wrote in post #16744426
Comparing the two in a field guide, I think this is a House Finch instead of Purple Finch.

Thanks. I have only got into bird photography in earnest since last summer. So my identification skills need some improving.

So is this also a House Finch, or is it a Purple. It seems to have a different appearance than the one above.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/jownby/86706338​28/

Both are House Finches. Purple Fiches will not have the streaking on the underbelly and will have a triangle shaped beak as apposed to the roman nose type beak of the house (curving upper mandible).

Diet and plumage age has a lot to do with how bright both finch species are. So looking at their beak shape is the best visual que to what species they are. The first house finch image has a feather issue. Possibly mites (as they thrive on the head as it is not possible for the bird to preen there), which is a common occurrence in finch species.

I recommend the Sibley's Guide to Birds if you are serious in identifying birds. It is currently the best bird book on the market for North America.

Evan wrote in post #16744631
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I recommend the Sibley's Guide to Birds if you are serious in identifying birds. It is currently the best bird book on the market for North America.

Thanks for the help with identity and the tip on the book.