Identify this Minnesota (Yellow) Bird

WHAT BIRD IS THIS?
Hello, I hope my readers can help. 

I was traveling on US212 from Montevideo to Granite Falls (Minnesota) on Friday evening after seeing a client; where the trees were beautiful shades of green and every bend in the road revealed a new vista of valleys, hills, and variances of green.
As I came around a bend, just at a guard rail in the middle of the road I saw a bright yellow bird standing near another which was injured; it flew up as I drove by. Immediately as I passed it landed again by its friend and flew up again as the car behind me passed it.

Image result for minnesota shapeI did a u-turn and returned to the scene. Again the bird was there and again it flew away as I approached. I pulled over. When traffic allowed, I went to the middle of the road and picked the dead bird up and moved it off the road where it's friend could return safely to pay its respects.
I was moved not only by the behavior of the bird to its deceased friend (or mate?) but also by the beauty of both birds; mostly bright yellow (entire body) with gray or brown wings, but I especially remember it's long black or grayish beak which narrowed almost straw-like to, sadly, a drop of blood at the tip.
I didn't' take a picture out of respect and honor for these beautiful creatures but later tried to find the type of bird that these are and so far I am unable to do so. What do you think?

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