question for the bird lovers

[backwoodsbob]

I have had 6 birds take residence here that I don't recognize.
live in SW Virginia.

They are solid yellow with black wings and BRIGHT red beaks...about the size of a barn swallow.

Never seen them before...any ideas what they are?

[Minimus]

1. Grosbeaks? or Goldfinch?

Yellow Grosbeak




Goldfinch

[backwoodsbob]

2. definitely not those

the colors were very defined.

The bodies were solid yellow with a VERY solid black wing with a VERY red beak.

Never seen a bird like it before

the wings were defined like the grosbeak but solid black and the beak was solid red

[Minimus]

3. The red beak is throwing me but I will continue to scan my bird guides

and see what I can find.

[backwoodsbob]

6. never mind you're right

American Goldfinch

http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/91/overview/American_Goldfinch.aspx

The beaks on there are redder but that is what they are.


We have 6 that decided our backyard is a playground...they have played there all evening

[Minimus]

7. Goldinches are fun. I used to grow sunflowers and they would play all

around the flowers and eat the seeds.

I am glad you were able to identify your birds. Enjoy!

[XemaSab]

4. Tell you what they weren't

They weren't Yellow Grosbeaks. :P

[XemaSab]

5. What were the beaks shaped like?

Were they thick or thin?

[Maestro]

8. If they are the size of a swallow they sound like some sort of

warbler but I know of no warbler with a red beak. Quite strange. Could they be an exotic finch that escaped from captivity? Look here: http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=5325749

[pitohui]

9. they were goldfinches

as you have discerned -- pink vs. red bills just a local or family variation

[Withywindle]

10. Goldfinches are so pretty.

I love them. If you get thistle seed and sunflower seed for your birdfeeder, you'll have them every summer. Maybe some Indigo Buntings too.