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European Goldfinch



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You could have knocked me over with a feather . . . Yesterday, Saturday at 
2:30 p.m., I had a European Goldfinch feeding at a Niger Seed tube feeder in 
by backyard.  It was with American and Lesser Goldfinches and Pine Siskins.  

It was a new bird for me.  When I saw it, I did a double take.  My wife wrote 
down my description to her (I was afraid to take my eyes off it).  It flew 
away after 45 seconds or so.  I drew a quick sketch from memory, especially 
the head which was so distinctive, yet different from any finch like bird I 
had seen perviously.  

A quick scan of my National Geographic render nothing.  The Sibley Guide has 
it illustrated on page 537.  Since the Goldfinches are now molting, I was 
concerned it may be a weird molt pattern.  However, I knew there was no red 
associated with any face patterns on finches that I have ever seen, as well 
as the vertical Vs. horizontal stripping I typically see on sparrow heads.  
It was a male with the yellow band on the wings and the distinctive facial 
pattern.

It was seen again Sunday morning at 8 a.m., on another tube feeder with Niger 
seed, along with the same group of mixed American and Lesser Goldfinches and 
Pine Siskins.

I notified Keith Evans the President of our Wasatch Audubon Chapter.  I will 
keep reporting whether it is still being seen.  E-mail me if anyone is 
interested in checking it out.  Hopefully, we can get a photo too.

I have no idea if one has ever been seen before in Utah or where it may have 
come from.  Does anyone else know of previous sightings or origins?

Sportingly,

Bill Fenimore

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<HTML><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><FONT  SIZE=2>You could have knocked me over with a feather . . . Yesterday, Saturday at 
<BR>2:30 p.m., I had a European Goldfinch feeding at a Niger Seed tube feeder in 
<BR>by backyard. &nbsp;It was with American and Lesser Goldfinches and Pine Siskins. &nbsp;
<BR>
<BR>It was a new bird for me. &nbsp;When I saw it, I did a double take. &nbsp;My wife wrote 
<BR>down my description to her (I was afraid to take my eyes off it). &nbsp;It flew 
<BR>away after 45 seconds or so. &nbsp;I drew a quick sketch from memory, especially 
<BR>the head which was so distinctive, yet different from any finch like bird I 
<BR>had seen perviously. &nbsp;
<BR>
<BR>A quick scan of my National Geographic render nothing. &nbsp;The Sibley Guide has 
<BR>it illustrated on page 537. &nbsp;Since the Goldfinches are now molting, I was 
<BR>concerned it may be a weird molt pattern. &nbsp;However, I knew there was no red 
<BR>associated with any face patterns on finches that I have ever seen, as well 
<BR>as the vertical Vs. horizontal stripping I typically see on sparrow heads. &nbsp;
<BR>It was a male with the yellow band on the wings and the distinctive facial 
<BR>pattern.
<BR>
<BR>It was seen again Sunday morning at 8 a.m., on another tube feeder with Niger 
<BR>seed, along with the same group of mixed American and Lesser Goldfinches and 
<BR>Pine Siskins.
<BR>
<BR>I notified Keith Evans the President of our Wasatch Audubon Chapter. &nbsp;I will 
<BR>keep reporting whether it is still being seen. &nbsp;E-mail me if anyone is 
<BR>interested in checking it out. &nbsp;Hopefully, we can get a photo too.
<BR>
<BR>I have no idea if one has ever been seen before in Utah or where it may have 
<BR>come from. &nbsp;Does anyone else know of previous sightings or origins?
<BR>
<BR>Sportingly,
<BR>
<BR>Bill Fenimore</FONT></HTML>

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