Ah, the goldfinch nesting season is underway. They are numerous and feisty at the feeders. There are so many that I'm able to see some interesting variations. Above is a typical goldfinch, note how the black cap goes from the base of his beak to his eye. Check out this dude:
He's been like this for a few weeks. At first, I thought he was molting weird. But his breeding plumage seems to be firmly in place, he has some kind of odd pigment issues that's causing the yellow to blend into his cap. He sticks out as soon as he hits the feeder ever without binoculars. I'll be curious to see if he finds a mate.
Another interesting goldfinch is the male above on the right, he's a bit lighter than the other males--at least where he's yellow. His black parts all appear to be the same. I'm not sure if he's a little light or if it's a dietary issue.