The siskin (Carduelis
spinus) is a member of the finch family that bears some resemblance to the
greenfinch, but it is noticeably smaller. It is quite common in the British
Isles, especially in Wales and Scotland. Its breeding range extends from the south
coast of England, up the western side of the country and into Scotland. In
central and eastern England siskins are more likely to be seen as winter
visitors, sometimes from continental Europe. They are widespread across much of
Europe, with their range extending as far as western Siberia.
Migrations
within Europe can take large flocks from Scandinavia to the Mediterranean .
Habitat
Their
preferred habitat is woodland, particular coniferous (mainly spruce) forest
during the breeding season and birch or alder woods during the winter. They are
also seen in parks and gardens. They like to be near water and can often be
seen bathing in streams.
Appearance
The siskin is
around 12 centimetres (less than 5 inches) long, dumpy in shape, with a short
forked tail and sharply pointed bill. Like the greenfinch, the plumage of male
siskins is predominantly yellow, with the upper plumage being green-grey.
Unlike the greenfinch, the siskin’s underparts are white towards the rear.
Female siskins are greyer above and whiter below, and they do not have the
black cap on the head that the males have. Both males and females have
distinctive yellow bars on the wings and tail that are visible in flight.
Juvenile birds of both sexes resemble the adult female, but with more streaks
and a slightly browner colour.
The call of
the siskin is a sharp, clear note, to which is added a slightly wheezier tone,
especially in flight, and a hard twitter. The song is a pleasant warbling
twitter.
Breeding
The breeding
season is from April to July. The female builds a nest at least 20 metres (65
feet) above the ground at the end of a conifer branch. The nest is made from
thin twigs and bark and lined with feathers and animal hair. The clutch of
three to five eggs is incubated for around 14 days by the female alone, but
both birds feed the young for another 14 days, mainly on aphids and
caterpillars. A second clutch is usual shortly after the first clutch has
fledged.
The food of
the adult birds is mainly tree seeds, to which are added small berries and the
buds of evergreen trees. In order to get these, siskins often perform
acrobatics similar to those of the tit family.
The siskin is
not regarded as being in danger in the UK , either from predation or loss
of habitat.
© John
Welford
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