While participating in Cornell Lab’s “Project Feeder Watch” this season, I noticed a different visitor at my feeders.  Turns out this bright yellow bird with distinct gray cap, eye line and malar or “moustache stripe” (below the eye) is an exotic species, thought to be a pet trade escapee native to Africa, the common name is Yellow-fronted Canary.  This bird is a frequent visitor in my yard since I added a Nyjer thistle sock to attract more Goldfinches and House Finches. 

To find out more about Project Feeder Watch and how to participate, visit https://feederwatch.org/about/project-overview/

If you are looking for a good feeder and bird seed source, check out Lowe’s which carries an entire line of National Audubon Society seeds.  Also visit Audubon’s bird seed website at http://audubonbirdseed.com/

Note a variety of other exotic bird species are found in our area which include Black-throated Magpie-Jay, Pin-tailed Whydah, Scaly-breasted Munia, House Sparrow and European Starling (to name a few).  You can find more non-native examples in our Photo Gallery, included to help ID these unusual birds you might find.  It is important to note non-native species are not necessarily a good thing as they can impact our native bird species and habitats. 

Yellow-fronted Canary shown below with Goldfinches, photo credit Cindy Crawford.