Eurasian Siskin

Spinus spinus

Genus · Siskins and New World Goldfinches Family · Finches, Euphonias, and Allies
Observation tips Difficulty: EASY
Best time
🕒 Any
Activity
☀️ Diurnal
Best months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Observation habitat
Bird feederCanopy foliageTree branches

Look for the black cap on the male. In winter, scan alder trees near water for large, noisy flocks of small green-yellow finches.

Eurasian Siskin

♂ Male · ♀ Female

Stats
Wingspan20–23 cm
Weight10–18 g
Length11–12 cm
Lifespan wild2–11 yrs
Size
XS
S
M
L
XL
Nesting
Nest typeCup
Clutch size3–5 eggs
Incubation12–14 days
Breeding months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Regional Status (Europe)
LC
Least Concern (Europe)
IUCN Red List
MigrationPartial migratory
Social BehaviourFlocking

Diet: Granivore

🦗Insects
🌻Seeds

Habitat

🌲 Forest coniferous🌳 Forest deciduous🌲🌳 Forest mixed🏡 Garden🏙️ Urban
✦ Fun Fact

Siskins are very fond of peanuts and sunflower seeds. They were among the first birds to adapt to using peanut feeders in gardens.

About

A tiny, lively finch of coniferous and mixed woodlands. The Siskin is social and gathers in large flocks in winter to feed on alder and birch seeds. It is a resident in much of Europe. However, northern populations move south in large numbers during autumn.

Behaviour

Siskins often hang upside down on thin branches to reach seeds. Their flight is deeply undulating. The male has a hurried song of trills and whistles ending in a buzzy 'deee-zeee' note. They often start nesting while snow is still on the ground.

Sexual Dimorphism

♂ Male

Bright yellow-green overall with a jet-black crown and a small black bib. His wings have two bold yellow bars.

♀ Female

Duller and more heavily streaked with grey and brown. She lacks the black crown and bib but has yellow patches in the wing.

Similar species

European Serin
🐦
European Serin
Serinus serinus
European Greenfinch
🐦
European Greenfinch
Chloris chloris
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