Can anyone identify this little bird?

tonyj · #1 (**permalink**) 04-07-2010, 09:05 PM

I got a webcam for my birthday..! Actually I got a set of technical problems to keep me quiet - however having got it up and going, the first bird I get to see - I cannot identify.
Does anyone have any idea what this is? About the size of a sparrow. I live in the South east in the Sussex weald area.

Any thoughts would be welcome.
Tony J

Northumbrian guy · #2 (**permalink**) 04-07-2010, 09:23 PM

Greenfinch

rossy · #3 (**permalink**) 04-07-2010, 09:29 PM

agreed greenfinch. and welcome tonyj. rossy.

RKB · #4 (**permalink**) 05-07-2010, 12:05 AM

One on the left is an adult male, the one on the right is a juvenile.

tonyj · #5 (**permalink**) 05-07-2010, 05:34 PM

Many thanks all.
I did wonder whether it was a greenfinch, but all my books show it as much greener...this one is quite yellow.
Tonyj

glsammy · #6 (**permalink**) 05-07-2010, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonyj

Many thanks all.
I did wonder whether it was a greenfinch, but all my books show it as much greener...this one is quite yellow.
Tonyj

That's the problem with books when it comes to checking identity. Some are so far from reality it beggars belief.
Greenfinches colour vary according to the time of year, as do most birds. They're usually at their worse about now as the struggle to breed often makes the female in particular lose a lot of condition.

faz · #7 (**permalink**) 05-07-2010, 05:55 PM

i agree with RKB

RKB · #8 (**permalink**) 05-07-2010, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glsammy

They're usually at their worse about now as the struggle to breed often makes the female in particular lose a lot of condition.

They're actually starting the moult around now, hence the scruffiness you often see in midsummer.

Harold Smith · #9 (**permalink**) 06-07-2010, 06:31 PM

Definitely Greenfinch! And I am envious! My last record of a Greenfinch in my garden is 2008, though there may have been some since which I have not seen. They used to be frequent visitors but over a short period of time they stopped coming. I'm not sure why as I have not changed feeding patterns or the plants they would feed of. One encouraging sign is that I am getting more Goldfinches again as they seemed to have disappeared at about the same time as the Greenfinches. Hopefully this is a sign the Greenfinches will start returning.

Harold.

RKB · #10 (**permalink**) 06-07-2010, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harold Smith

Definitely Greenfinch! And I am envious! My last record of a Greenfinch in my garden is 2008, though there may have been some since which I have not seen. They used to be frequent visitors but over a short period of time they stopped coming. I'm not sure why as I have not changed feeding patterns or the plants they would feed of. One encouraging sign is that I am getting more Goldfinches again as they seemed to have disappeared at about the same time as the Greenfinches. Hopefully this is a sign the Greenfinches will start returning.

Harold.

A fifth of Greenfinches have been killed by disease (trichomoniasis) spread through unclean birdfeeders and bird tables. Sick birds look fluffed up and lethargic, and unable to swallow.