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Birds Similar to a Yellow Finch

The American goldfinch, sometimes called a yellow finch, is found throughout North America. During the spring, the males are bright yellow and shiny black with stripes of white on their wings. Females are dull in comparison. The pointed tail, conical bill, wing bars and lack of streaking help in identifying the female. Males lose their magnificent color in the winter and look similar to the female. Several birds are similar to the finches in color and size.

Pine Siskin
- The pine siskin is similar in size and color of female American goldfinch. The bird is distinguished from the American goldfinch by its brown color, heavy streaking and two yellow wing bars located at the base of its flight feathers. Nonbreeding pine siskin are found in the majority of the United States during the winter season.
Evening Grosbeak
- The evening grosbeak is similar to the adult male goldfinch in color. This bird is also yellow with a dark head. It is large than the yellow finch and has a larger head and bill. Their wings are yellow and black with white patches instead of the wing bars that help identify the goldfinch. The grosbeak's throat is brown changing to a bright yellow toward the tail; the legs are pink.
Lawrence Goldfinch
- The Lawrence goldfinch is similar to the nonbreeding female American goldfinch. It is distinguishable by its gray color, yellow chest and wings and black face. The Lawrence goldfinch is found in Baja California and in the woodlands of the state. This bird is unusual because it moves in an east to west migratory pattern instead of north and south. Its nomadic movements create difficulty in tracking population trends. The availability of water and crops is believed to explain its erratic movements.
Lesser Goldfinch
- The lesser goldfinch is similar to the female American goldfinch and is distinguishable by its yellowish under-tail, thicker bill, narrow wing bars and green back. The lesser goldfinch is found in the western United States as well as northern and western South America. The birds are small and there are two forms. One resides in Texas has a dark back, and one farther west has a green back.
Pine Warbler and Yellow Warbler
- The pine warbler and yellow warbler are two other birds similar to the American goldfinch. The pine warbler is similar to the female American goldfinch, but is longer and more slender with a darker bill. The yellow warbler is similar to the adult male American goldfinch, but has a think black bill and a red-streaked breast.

Animals & Science