Monday, March 5, 2012

Mysterious yellow bird with black wings and bill

I have taken photos of this bird on a couple different years in my back yard when they migrate through but I don't know what he is.  He is always with a group of finches,,,,,,Would you possibly know what he is?

Thank you for your question. My first thought is an escaped domestic canary or finch from someone’s house. 

Then I thought it might be an American Goldfinch that is expressing abnormal feather pigmentation. The lack of black pigments is called partial amelanism. When birds lack most or all of the melanin pigments usually present in their feathers, the normally hidden yellow carotenoid pigments are revealed fully.

Would you like me to post the pictures to get more thoughts?
Thanks for the reply.  I forgot to tell you that I am located in Blytheville, Arkansas and that we have seen this bird for 2 years. The first year was in a March snowstorm and is not here all the time but only a couple times a year.  And yes, I would love for you to post it.  Thanks again, Roy
I want to thank everyone for their responses. I've put up a side by side comparison to see if that helps. I think I'm still going with funny colored goldfinch for now.
 
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