"Yellow birds" is probably a misnomer. However two fairly common, small brown birds with yellow highlights are likely to make an appearance at your nyjer feeder.
During warmer months, the American Goldfinch is easy to spot. Males are a vibrant yellow and really add a splash of color to our bird feeders. In the colder months, the males take on a more brown appearance and look very much like their female partners.
Vibrant Male
Male just starting to get his color back in early spring.
Pine Siskins are brown little birds which you'll often find amongst the more common American Goldfinches. They also seem to enjoy nyjer seed and are a winter migrant. By the time the male Goldfinches have returned to their vibrant yellow, the Siskins have likely returned to the North. While the Siskins don't turn a bright yellow, they do have distinctive yellow feathers on their wings. When taking a quick glance at your feeders, it might easy to assume that a bunch of small brown birds is made up entirely of Goldfinches but take a closer look and you may find some Siskins in the bunch.
Pine Siskins visiting my feeders.
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