Find out what Project FeederWatch is, its history, and more
Find out how you FeederWatch, when you can FeederWatch, and what you'll need to do to get started
Review these instructions carefully before you count and enter data
Find out about types of feeders and types of foods, and where to place your feeder
Feeding Birds FAQs
Explore the winter distribution, food, and feeder preferences of common feeder birds.
Find out about color and plumage variations, bald heads, and deformed bills
Unusual Birds Gallery
Find out about bird disease and identifying the signs of bird disease
Sick Birds Gallery
Find out how to identify birds and download identification tools
Learn how to help birds as they seek out food sources, nesting habitat, protection, and more
Find educational resources for teachers, group leaders, and families
Find an article archive packed with lots of great bird study information
Learn about house finch eye disease
Review content from current and past BirdSpotter photo contests
Keep up to date with the latest FeederWatch happenings
These are exemplary FeederWatchers!
Send us your photos! Show us your count site, your birds, or you watching your site with loved ones!
Visit our live FeederWatch feedercams!
Cornell Lab of Ornithology feeders
Ontario (winter only)
See what birds occur the most by region
Explore species by state/province
See where FeederWatchers are
Graphs of regional population trends and distributions
Explore papers that have used FeederWatch data
Lab scientists analyze the data submitted by FeederWatch participants.
See birds well outside their winter range submitted to Project FeederWatch.
Start here for data entry and personal data review and exploration
Keep live track of your counts using the FeederWatch mobile app
Alison Curtis
Gooderham, ON, Canada
I see this bird most days. It holds its tail unusally erect and the tail seems to have more white feathers than the other goldfinches. Its tail is always up like this (i.e. it doesn’t change position). It doesn’t seem to affect its flying that I can tell.
Other
Just saw one today April 11, 2021 I thought it was unusual a Gold Finch seemed larger and his tail was mostly white and erect.
Morning Jessica, I have one in my back yard. I’m on Cape Cod near Chatham. July 2021
I have one in Farmville, VA. It isn’t holding its tail erect but it’s definitely white and different than the others! I hope it’s nothing bad after the bird sickness earlier this year.
Hi Christine, that is most likely a condition known as leucism. Leucism means that an animal is missing some pigment, which results in white or lighter than normal areas. It does not affect the bird’s health and is nothing to worry about. Ava
I have one with a white tail too- actually a number with more white in tail than normal. Not holding erect. I am on South Shore Ma.
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Comment *
Name *
Email *
Website
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.