Goldfinch (UK version) Question

Good evening people,

Does anyone know if the UK Goldfinch changes its plummage in winter?

The reason I ask is that we have loads of Goldfinches on our feeders but there are fewer and fewer with red heads. I know what a Juvenile looks like and most look like Juveniles.

I think they are juveniles but its just the high volume of them that has me wondering.

Thanks

Neil

Hi, Adults moult after the breeding period which can be as early as July or as late as October. After moult the birds do appear a lot less colourful, until the tips of the newly grown feathers wear away, however if on close inspection the cap of the bird is completely sandy brown then yes they are juvenille birds. Hope that helps.

Great, thanks Alex.

Neil

Hi Neil,

Try this link and I hope it'll help you http://www.rspb.org.uk …ame/g/goldfinch​/index.asp

Also heres a link to the RSPBs birds by name pages where you get illustrations and also sound clips and sometimes video of the different birds going about their business, you just click on the letter for the specific type of bird your looking for and hopefully it'll be in their list http://www.rspb.org.uk …irdguide/name/a​/index.asp also birds by family http://www.rspb.org.uk​/wildlife/birdguide/fa​milies/ also a cool bird identifier if you don't know the name or breed of bird your looking for http://www.rspb.org.uk​/wildlife/birdidentifi​er/

Jim

Thanks Jim, its the RSPB site I use. Some of the birds it shows you the difference between male and female or winter and summer plummage but with the Goldfinch it shows adult and young.

Cheers

Neil

If I may ask, are UK Goldfinches the same as North American Goldfinches? I've attached a photo below to reference the American Goldfinches that we have here in Canada, and I want to be certain I'm thinking of the right bird before I reply. Also, if someone can post a photo of a UK goldfinch, it would be most appreciated!

Cheers, Attila

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Hi Attila,

No they are different birds. ours have red in them too,

Thanks

Neil

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Adult Goldfinches have one complete moult each year after breeding so they look essentially the same all the year round; there is no separate winter plumage.

The books tell you that the juveniles acquire their red and black heads in August - September, but, as far as the juveniles visiting my garden are concerned, this seems to be getting later every year. Only last week I saw one with a still rather poorly developed red face. Nevertheless I don't think I have ever seen one still looking totally juvenile at the end of November.

Jack Dawe wrote in post #6775220
Adult Goldfinches have one complete moult each year after breeding so they look essentially the same all the year round; there is no separate winter plumage.

The books tell you that the juveniles acquire their red and black heads in August - September, but, as far as the juveniles visiting my garden are concerned, this seems to be getting later every year. Only last week I saw one with a still rather poorly developed red face. Nevertheless I don't think I have ever seen one still looking totally juvenile at the end of November.

Down here they seem to have extended their breeding season. I saw real babies the first week in October.