A small streaky brown finch with yellow flashes on wings. Often confused for sparrows. Forms large nomadic flocks following conifer seed crops.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
The pine siskin is a North American bird in the finch family. It is a migratory bird with an extremely sporadic winter range.
Source: Wikipedia — Pine siskin Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Small, heavily streaked brown finch with a thin, sharp bill and yellow flashes in the wings and tail (variable).
Similar species. Female House Finch is streaked but larger-billed and lacks yellow wing flashes; the thin bill and yellow wing edgings mark the siskin.
Voice. A buzzy, rising 'zreeeee' (like a question) and husky twitters.
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. Seeds (specialized for many species), occasional insects.
Behavior. A nomadic flock finch that irrupts widely in response to conifer-seed crops; feeds acrobatically on cones and readily joins goldfinches at thistle feeders.
§ Range
Across North America; highly irruptive
§ Habitat
Coniferous and mixed forests, suburban feeders during irruptions
§ Threats
Mycoplasmal conjunctivitis at feeders, salmonella outbreaks during irruptions.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the pine siskin is currently classified as Least Concern.
§ What helps
Clean feeders regularly during irruptions. Support boreal conifer forests.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Pine siskin
- www.allaboutbirds.org — authoritative profile of Spinus pinus
- IUCN Red List — search for Spinus pinus
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Spinus pinus
§ Sources cited
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology — All About Birds
- National Audubon Society
- iNaturalist
- IUCN Red List
