Saw this guy chowing down on some thistle, I also got a lifer Wilson's Warbler!







DuckWatcher
No California -- Zone 9b
Olympus SP-560 UZ

Congrats on your lifer DW, and it reminds me, it must be the start of weed pollen season because my allergies are acting up again...

Ruth
Everett, WA
Zone 8

Nice, I see they are already in winter plumage
Wilson's is a nice looking bird., good for you.

Mike
Central NJ/Raritan Bay/Sandy Hook

Actually, Mike, that may be a female, which would look more or less this way all year. American Goldfinches are notoriously late nesters in the east, with the first nests not appearing until late June or early July in most cases; out west, they're somewhat earlier, but still often laying eggs into August.

Doing some digging in the Cornell Birds of North America account, I found that males start their molt into basic plumage (the duller look we see in winter) usually in September or later, once the breeding season is complete.

Kevin Morgan
Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Especially like the top photo but that roost does't look too comfortable for bare feet.