Pine Siskin

The Pine Siskin, Carduelis pinus, is a small finch.

Adults are brown on the upperparts and pale on the underparts, with heavy streaking throughout. They have a short forked tail. They have yellow patches in their wings and tail, not always visible; otherwise, it appears to be a very small streaked sparrow.

Their breeding habitat is across Canada, Alaska and the western mountains and northern parts of the United States. The nest is well-hidden on a horizontal branch of a tree, often a conifer.

Migration by this bird is highly variable, probably related to food supply. Large numbers may move south in some years; hardly any in others.

These birds forage in trees, shrubs and weeds. They mainly eat seeds, plant parts and some insects. In winter, they often feed in mixed flocks including American Goldfinches and redpolls.

Interesting Pine Siskin Facts

• The name Siskin is derived from its sound or chirp. Thus, this bird’s common name is really “pine chirper”

• Pine Siskins are very social birds. In fact, they even build nests adjacent to each other, with only a few feet in between them.

• When eating from conifers, the Pine Siskin usually hangs upside down from the tips of the trees!

References

* BirdLife International (2004). Carduelis pinus. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 05 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern

* Interesting Pine Siskin Facts donated by BirdHouses101.com