What is this bird?

[motco]

Seen a few times in my garden in the Chilterns. It's small - about the size of a linnet or finch. Neither of my two bird books seem to have it included. Note the bill which is neither fine nor seriously triangular, the yellow flash on its wing and most particularly the distinctive pattern on the tail area.

[Planet Claire]

I would say a female and/or juvenile Goldfinch.

[motco]

Planet Claire said:

I would say a female and/or juvenile Goldfinch.

PC, I believe you're right! Thanks!

[Boosted LS1]

Looks like it's ringed.

[motco]

Boosted LS1 said:

Looks like it's ringed.

The lower picture is from a web page associated with bird ringing. The upper picture is the one from my garden and I cannot see a ring on that one.

[motco]

Today's unusual garden visitor is...



Bear in mind that we're quite a few miles from any significant stretches of water. We do have a pond though.

[rapidpete]

guys...confirm that it's a young, just fledged Goldfinch chick...Unable to sex them until after the moult. They will then display the red and black facial markings that shout Goldfinch! Its still very tricky to indentify Cocks from Hens unless you know.. So here are some young Goldfinches to compare.
https://www.facebook.com/GreenWorldTVUK/videos/vb....

They are my little charm of Goldies that we saved from day old chicks...
They are very bright and can be trained quite easily...mine lined up in the same order to feed [even after a fly around] and waited in turn for food.

cheers

Pete