I've been asked to help identify a bird that's currently visiting a water bath in Plymouth, MA. I think it's a sick American Goldfinch, possibly suffering from salmonellosis, but I could be wrong.

These are the pictures I was given:

The bird is very fluffed up which is not normal for mid-May, and is very approachable which is not normal for a wild bird. It seems to have the black forehead and white markings on the black wings of an adult male goldfinch but it looks more like a molting bird.

Cornell's site on Sick Birds and Bird Diseases describes Salmonellosis:

"Salmonellosis is caused by bacteria belonging to the genus Salmonella.
It is a common cause of mortality in feeder birds, but the symptoms are
not always obvious. Sick birds may appear thin or fat and fluffed up
and may have swollen eyelids. They are often lethargic and easy to
approach. Some infected birds may show no outward symptoms but are
carriers of the disease and can spread the infection to other birds.

Salmonellosis is primarily transmitted by fecal contamination of food
and water by sick birds, though it also can be transmitted by
bird-to-bird contact. Occasionally, outbreaks of the disease cause
significant mortality in certain species including Pine Siskin, Common
Redpoll, and American Goldfinch."

My question is whether this is indeed a sick American Goldfinch or is it another bird entirely.

Thanks,

Claire